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Speech On Newspaper | Newspaper Speech for Students And Children In English

February 8, 2024 by Prasanna

Speech On Newspaper: Newspaper is a powerhouse of information and a necessity for human life. It is a form of printed media that contains information from all the nooks and corners of the world and helps spread awareness. It has gained popularity day by day and is published in all the corners of the world in different languages.

Technically, a newspaper is a periodical publication issued on a daily or weekly basis. It contains news, advertisements, feature, and other information issues in the public interest.

Students can also find more  English Speech Writing  about Welcome Speeches, Farewell Speeches, etc

Long And Short Speeches On Newspaper for Kids and Students In English

A long speech on newspaper topic is provided; it is 500 words in length. There is also a short speech on newspaper provided of 150 words, which is given below. Students generally use these speeches for their assignments and prepare grand statements to stir them on occasions and meetings.

A Long Speech On Newspaper is helpful to students of classes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. A Short Speech On Newspaper is helpful to students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Long Speech On Newspaper 500 Words In English

I am honored to have this opportunity of addressing today’s crowd about newspapers. As we all know, a newspaper is a powerful tool that helps in circulating information to the mass. It is by far one of the best means of communication between the world and the people.

In addition to the point, as mentioned earlier, the newspapers are a great medium of knowledge. Early in the morning, we get our daily dose of information and news from the newspaper. It is a reliable source of information as the reports are published after a thorough investigation of the information.

Newspapers are also inexpensive and are readily available in almost every corner of the world. The people find it economically friendly. Most importantly, newspapers are published in various languages, which makes it very easy for readers to understand the information in their local language.

Newspapers create a positive impact on society as it helps people t become aware of the incidents happening around them and the globe. Keeping oneself updated with current affairs is crucial. It also encourages the public to question, and this is only possible once they know about the issue. A newspaper is also considered to be the most excellent link among the government and the commoners.

Newspaper plays an essential role in building up a socially aware community and informed citizens. It is the citizens’ right to know about any changes occurring in the country’s law and newspaper serves the purpose of informing the citizens about any changes happening in the country’s rules and regulations.

Newspapers act as an essential pillar in democracy. A country having a free press not only makes people aware of different policies and views of the government and people’s rights.

Students find newspapers very informative, and they learn all about general knowledge, current affairs, government policies, technological advancement of a country, research studies, and sorts. The newspaper also helps a student write reports and articles, and it also works as a vocabulary builder for students of all age groups.

Newspapers have a fair share in spreading awareness about any changes or upgradation in the fields of education, medicine. It also informs people about cultural events happening in the country. Newspapers also have a games section for the game enthusiasts.

Furthermore, newspapers have additional articles that include art, cultural, and social issues. It helps in conveying public opinion to the mass. Newspapers have a section where they publish about the economic condition, employment opportunities, etc. which allows people to apply for jobs. Newspapers also open new opportunities in other fields for enthusiastic people and update them regularly about new openings.

To conclude my speech in newspapers, I would like to say that newspapers carry a lot of significance in human life. It helps one to develop reading habits and also helps one become a responsible citizen of the country. It encourages people to engage people in exciting activities like puzzles and mind-exercises. It also helps people get a job and helps the country to develop as a whole.

Short Speech On Newspaper 150 Words In English

Good morning to one and all present in this ceremony. Today I am here to deliver a speech on newspapers. As we know, newspapers are an integral part of our daily lives. Life without a newspaper is impossible and tough to imagine. It is the first thing that people read in the morning and start their day with. A newspaper brings views and news from every corner of the world.

People are informed about different events occurring throughout the world through the newspaper. Newspapers are equally crucial for business people, sports players, kids, unemployed people, adults, etc. It helps one to widen their knowledge and also helps one to keep abreast of advances made in various fields.

Newspaper plays a crucial role in building up a democratic society. People are informed about the country’s rules and regulations through the newspapers. It also provides a scope for the citizens to question the government and its policies.

All in all, newspapers are a fundamental medium for conveying information from the governing body to the commoners and vice versa.

10 Lines On Speech On Newspaper In English

• A newspaper is a collection of news printed or published on a paper and is circulated from home to home.
• There are specific newspapers that are published fortnightly, weekly, and most commonly on a daily basis.
• Newspapers are printed in several languages for the ease of the people reading them.
• In India, English and Hindi newspapers are read by most citizens, followed by Marathi, Bengali, and Tamil newspapers.
• Newspaper informs us about what is happening around the globe.
• The newspaper has national, international, sports, and entertainment industry-related news.
• The newspaper’s editorial section is a collection of articles written by notable journalists voicing their opinion and views.
• Some newspapers also contain comics, Sudoku, and puzzles to entertain readers.
• Weather forecasts are also published in the newspaper daily.
• Newspapers help citizens to be politically and socially aware.

FAQ’s On Speech On Newspaper

Question 1. Is the term “newspaper” a short form?

Answer: Many people say that newspaper is an acronym for “North, East, West, South, Past, And Present Event Reports.

Question 2. Is the newspaper influential?

Answer: Yes, newspapers are vital as they provide information and general knowledge. It provides information about a country’s status, economic condition, trade, commerce, games, entertainment, etc. Reading newspapers widens the outlook and perspective of an individual.

Question 3. Is the newspaper recyclable?

Answer: Yes, newspapers are reusable as they are made out of papers. It can be used to make papiermache, packing material, shelf liner, fire starter, litter box liners, and much other stuff.

Question 4. What is a newspaper all about?

Answer: A newspaper is advantageous for people belonging to any age group. If individuals develop a habit of reading newspapers daily, they will be able to enhance their vocabulary and be socially aware of things happening around them. The adults can use newspapers to know about the country’s economic state and look for employment opportunities. Overall, newspapers offer a varied scope to its readers to develop themselves.

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• Speech on Newspaper

Long and Short Speech on Importance of Newspaper

Newspapers are distributed and sold all across the world. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy, and newspapers play an important role in nation-building and spreading knowledge among the people. It makes people aware of what’s going on all around the world. Here we have provided both long and short Speech on Newspapers for students of classes 5 to 12 along with 10 lines for Speech on the Importance of Newspapers for students of classes 1 to 5.

Long Speech on Newspaper

Today, I am here to deliver a speech on ‘newspapers’. Newspapers are one of the world's most important forms of communication. They are present virtually in every language. The newspaper provides us with news, perspectives, reviews, and previews. The term NEWS is often understood to be North, East, West, and South. This implies that newspapers provide us with information and news from all corners of the world on various topics.

Newspapers also provide us with articles on all kinds of subjects, such as political, social, economic, commercial, sports, education, health, etc. There are numerous columns dedicated to various subjects in the newspapers. We have a marriage, editorial, readers, jobs, and other columns in them.

The world's burning topics are debated in the newspapers. In them, elaborate papers by practitioners and specialists are often published. They also consist of the opinions and views of the reader. Newspapers are a very strong means to educate and relate with the masses. They bring a lot of ads that draw consumers' attention. To run a publication, an advertisement is required. As they serve as powerful shifts in public opinion, newspapers hold the power to make or alter a government. They also include eminent scholars' book reviews of literary, historical, and other works.

The opinions expressed in newspapers must not deceive us. As certain newspapers can be prejudiced, we must weigh them on the scale of justification. Typically, however, newspapers are effective tools for spreading literacy. In newspapers, children can enjoy the cartoon columns, and children can submit their sketches to be published in newspapers. So, in our culture, newspapers are very useful.

In 59 B.C., the first established newspaper was introduced. Julius Caesar in Rome introduced the newspaper 'Acta Diurna' in order to make people aware of social and political activities. It was formerly used for metal or stone carving and was limited to certain special cities. It is now available digitally on your tablets. The newspaper's history is very vast and fascinating. It played an important role in the independence of India, along with providing information.

Where the newspaper has many benefits, on one hand, there are also some limitations on the other. Newspapers often use fabricated and old news to improve their reputation. While individuals have to pay the newspaper a monthly fee, advertisement is the primary medium. As a result, the newspapers publish the advertisements without authenticity and are therefore eliminated by requesting readers to act with their discretion. Because of this, the masses often have to take on heavy losses sometimes.

Our touch would be cut off from the planet without the newspaper. The newspaper, of course, is not just knowledge and advertisement, but also a strong and all-encompassing means to share your thoughts and to enter the world with those thoughts.

Short Speech on Importance of Newspaper

Today, I am here to deliver a speech on the Importance of newspapers. One of the main Mass Media outlets is a newspaper. It includes knowledge that is important to society. It has different columns, including national news, political news, local-news, news about crime, entertainment news, editorial columns, etc.

Newspapers are printed in Hindi, English, Urdu, and different regional languages in India. For an essay, an average paper contains a minimum of 500 words. The average cap for a website ranges from 20 to 25 pages. For printing paper, black ink is used. Newspapers are usually printed on a white, grey, or off-white backdrop.

There are colourful pictorial depictions in newspapers. Newspapers are useful for any age group as it provides ads for jobs, real estate, marriage, and it features different educational columns for children. The word Newspaper is taken from the paper's Latin word "Papyrus" which refers to paper.

There's one sure thing. For several more years to come, the dominance of newspapers will continue unchallenged. Given that online newspapers and their usage are growing by leaps and bounds, conventional newspapers need to make improvements in the modes of presentation, appearance and offer diversity in content and even paper size. Many newspapers are doing this effectively as well.

There is, however, one field that has been struck by hard times. That's the factor in reputation. News that arrived in a major newspaper had the ring of authority about it in the past. But with sting operations, paid news, and political agendas, reporting habits are heavily influenced; objectivity, fact, and facts are often undermined, if not always.

But it won't take anything away from being a watchdog in democratic settings for newspapers. It is also called the Fourth Estate; the government, the executive, and the judiciary are the other powers. Newspapers can voice the masses' heartfelt appeal, organize public opinion for or against governments and unite people behind dignified social movements as well. One reason why regimes are turning against newspapers and seeking to suppress the voices of dissent.

10 Lines for Speech on Newspaper

A newspaper is a publication in which news is printed on paper and distributed in homes.

There are newspapers printed on a regular, weekly, and quarterly basis, i.e. on a 15-day basis.

Newspapers are written in many languages and are widely distributed in English newspapers.

Many people read Hindi newspapers in India, followed by English and other languages.

Newspapers keep us informed of what is going on in the nation and the world, as well as about growth in all fields.

There is a segment called 'classifieds' where people sell work ads, product sales, house rentals, etc.

On a certain topic, individuals may also write their comments in the editorial section of newspapers noted individuals write their opinions.

Newspapers also create the nation and direct the government concerning the policies and thoughts of the people.

Newspapers disseminate information about topics of national interest or health concern.

Daily reading of newspapers also allows students to prepare for different competitive assessments, as these exams primarily measure their general knowledge.

Internet vs Newspaper in the Digital Era

With the advent of Computers, sociologists could have hardly imagined the way in which it would one day revolutionise our day-to-day lives. While everyone was hopeful of this technological intervention, anyone hardly understood the depth with which it would penetrate our psyche, fully changing our ways of thinking. 

One such entanglement was the power of the internet (which sprouted in the late 90s and began to dig deep in the 2000s) and the news world. This amalgamation has had its own set of attributes, never before known to mankind. The format of news media and the way we consume it would change in such a way that it spread like wildfire with little authenticity in its flame. 

More people now consume internet news than the traditional held in hand newspaper. Even with all its allure, from high definition printing, gossip articles, columns for beauty and lifestyle, there has been a decline in its viewership. Most people opine that they prefer on-your-fingertip news over going through long pages of articles. Time is scarce and people find it easier to scroll through a blog than read a newspaper. 

At the same time, internet news is quick and more up-to-date about all current affairs around the globe. Perhaps, in the race of information, Twitter wins over the New York Times. Not only the millennials but even the older generations seem to take solace on their iPad when it comes to their daily share of news. This argument has been supported by various survey groups who found that the internet users in the age group of 70-75 years old considerably increased from 26% to a whopping 45% within four years. Factually speaking, today 4% of the entire internet base consists of 73+-year-olds.  

But how does this affect the quality of news we consume today as compared to our earlier generations? Well, the answer may lie in the statistics that behold the sight of ruthless misinformation around us. Today, 23% of adult users on the internet have unknowingly become perpetrators of misinformation by sharing unauthentic news to family and friends without a second glance at its source. Around 74% of them believe that they are at the receiving end of fake news, hoaxes, and misplaced information. Fake news spreads fast and easily. 

Internet news is free of cost is binged wildly. There have been an increased number of news writers for online articles. Authentic newspaper houses have also tried to foray into the online market but who would pay to read a piece of news that is freely available elsewhere! At the same time, authentic news journalists can not be expected to write for free, especially for their hard-earned investigative news and ground reports. And while the argument seems valid, it may be a little too late to reverse this situation now.

The last argument put forth by some is that newspapers (being made of paper obtained from trees) are not environmentally friendly. They require tonnes of wood logs, electricity along with an elaborate system (network of people who handle middle operations) from manufacturing to delivery. A lot of countries are already backing the idea of going paperless in as many ways as possible. And while newspapers are here to stay, they would do little without major reforms.

FAQs on Speech on Newspaper

1. What is the importance of reading a newspaper?

Reading newspapers is essential as a student to keep oneself aware of the current affairs and issues plaguing our world. One becomes aware of the social circumstances, builds empathy, and derives direction for change. Reading in itself is thought to be a wonderful habit to cultivate. While some articles are self-help advice and aimed at improving our day-to-day lives, others act as food for the mind and give us the motivation to imagine and dream big in life.

2. What are news articles?

News articles are short pieces of information that may be written and published as columns in newspapers and news magazines. They may provide ground reports from a place of crisis, accounts of eyewitnesses, interviews, polls, statistics, graphics, etc. about the social life of beings that aim to create awareness, sympathy and drive a social change among the masses.

3. How can we develop the habit of reading newspapers daily?

It is important that one gradually develops a reading habit in life. Developing interest and setting a definite time for reading a newspaper can help to make it a habit easily. One must strive to be patient but consistent while one builds this habit. Try to make a routine. One can involve friends, family members, and peer groups to join in the activity of reading and/ or discuss the news articles that generate interest and questions in the mind of the reader. Various online groups discuss policies, day to day affairs and help one better understand a news article.

4. What do we mean by ‘current affairs’?

The term ‘current affairs’ refers to the news about the present-day changes and policies or problems around us. Current affairs may be related to new happenings in the political world or the sports field or even in our local municipal body. Elections, sports events (such as the Olympics), festival reporting, etc., all fall under this category.

5. Are English newspapers better than their regional counterparts?

Newspapers in all languages aim to serve the same purpose: to make their readers aware of worldly happenings. And in this sense, it is hard to say that one is better than the other. Regional newspapers are very important, especially in a diverse multilingual nation like India, as it widens the reach of news and supports local opinions. It also helps people make informed choices and makes us a country of well-informed citizens.

Speech on Importance Of Newspaper

Newspapers hold a significant place in our daily lives. They act as windows, providing us glimpses into the vast world outside.

Your morning isn’t complete without the rustling sound of paper and the valuable information it carries. Newspapers equip you with knowledge, a crucial tool to navigate through life.

1-minute Speech on Importance Of Newspaper

Good day, everyone! Let’s talk about an old friend that visits us every morning – the newspaper. The newspaper is like a magic window. Through it, we can see the world, right from our homes!

Secondly, newspapers make us smart. They tell us about new ideas, inventions, and discoveries. Reading about these can make our brains grow with knowledge. Who doesn’t want to be smart, right?

Thirdly, newspapers teach us to think. When we read about different points of view, we learn to understand other people better. This makes us more open-minded and tolerant.

Lastly, newspapers are great for our language skills. They help us to learn new words and ways of saying things. This can help us to do better at school and work.

In short, newspapers are like a daily treasure chest. They are full of valuable information that can help us to learn, grow, and become better citizens. So let’s make reading newspapers a habit. Let’s open this treasure chest every day and see what gems we can find!

Thank you for listening, and happy reading!

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2-minute Speech on Importance Of Newspaper

Good day, everyone. Today, we’re going to talk about something that we see daily but might not always appreciate: the newspaper.

Newspapers are like a treasure chest full of information. They contain news from our city, from our country, and from the world over. By reading newspapers, we learn about what’s happening around us. We hear about new laws, elections, sports events, and even the weather forecast. Newspapers keep us informed and help us understand the world.

Newspapers are also like a friend who helps us improve our language skills. When we read newspapers, we come across new words and phrases. This helps us expand our vocabulary and improve our grammar. Plus, reading newspapers can help us write better, as we learn from the writing styles of professional journalists.

Now, let’s talk about how newspapers help our society. Newspapers are like a mirror that reflects what’s happening in our communities. They tell us about problems like pollution, crime, and corruption. By bringing these issues into the light, newspapers can inspire us to take action and make our society better.

So, as you can see, newspapers are not just piles of paper. They are a powerful tool that can educate us, inform us, challenge us, and even inspire us. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, a business person, or just a curious person, there’s something in the newspaper for you. So, let’s make it a habit to read the newspaper every day. Let’s tap into the power of newspapers to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world.

Thank you for listening to my thoughts on the importance of newspapers. I hope you now see them in a new light, and appreciate their value in our lives.

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• Speech Topics For Kids

Speech on Newspaper

The one thing apart from television that allows everyone be aware of what’s going on in and around the world is the newspaper. Newspapers come under the category of print media. If someone can read the daily newspaper, they will develop vast knowledge about current affairs. In this article, you will learn about the important aspects of newspapers which will help us to prepare a short speech on newspapers.

Table of Contents

What is a newspaper, what is the importance of reading newspapers.

• FAQs on Speech on Newspaper

A newspaper is an example of print media. The events that are occurring in and around the world are written in the form of reports in the newspaper. By reading newspapers, people can have a basic idea about what’s going on around the world. Daily newspaper reading makes a person socially aware of the different events. Previously one had to wait for the morning newspaper, but now, with the advent of technology, one can get to read E-newspapers too. The E-newspaper not only saves paper but also can be stored for a longer period of time, unlike the newspaper. If you’re a student, you should develop the habit of reading newspapers daily only then you will be aware of all the events that are taking place.

How would you convince the audience to start reading newspapers? It’s by discussing the importance of reading newspapers through a speech on newspaper. Let’s have a look at why reading newspapers are beneficial to everyone.

• Newspapers are a great source of current affairs. Reading newspapers regularly will help students familiarise themselves with events that are going on in and around the world. Children who are well versed in current affairs tend to be very good quizzers.
• It is through reading newspapers that students come to know about the economic situation of their country. Students should have a primary idea about the economic policies.
• Newspapers also help students to enhance their vocabulary and reading comprehension. It is through newspapers that children learn many new words which they can put to use later.

Frequently Asked Questions on Speech on Newspaper

Why should one read newspapers.

Newspapers inform people about the happenings around the world. Reading newspapers regularly can keep you updated and well-informed about everything across every field.

Is E-newspaper good?

In recent years E-newspapers have gained popularity among people. People who don’t get enough time to read newspapers can easily choose E-newspapers and get to know about all the recent events of the world.

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Importance of Newspaper Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of newspaper.

Newspaper is quite a powerful tool that circulates information to people. It is one of the greatest means of communication between people and the world. In addition, they are also a great medium of knowledge . We get our daily dose of news from newspapers early in the morning. It is quite a reliable source which gives us information only after thoroughly investigating the information.

Newspapers are easily available in the most remote regions as well. They are also very economical which gives an abundance of information at really low cost. Most importantly, newspapers are published in various languages that make it easier for people of all regions to get news in their local language . Thus, we see how newspapers have numerous advantages that help the common man stay informed of the worldly issues.

Significance of Newspaper

The newspaper has created a positive impact on society. It helps people become aware of current affairs and stay curious about them. When the public will question, it means they are aware. This is exactly what a newspaper does. It is also the finest link you can find between the government and its people. Newspapers provide people with every detail no matter how small.

Furthermore, it helps us become informed citizens. Whenever there are any changes in the rules and regulations of the country, newspapers make us aware of them. Moreover, they are very informative for students. A student can learn all about general knowledge and current affairs from here. We stay updated with the technological advancements, government policies, research studies and more.

Other than that, newspapers also have incredible articles that tackle social issues, cultures, arts, and more. It conveys the public opinion to the people on important issues. This will, in turn, help people review the government and ministers well. Similarly, people get great employment opportunities from newspapers. Those seeking jobs look through newspapers to get reliable job opportunities.

In short, the newspaper carries a lot of significance for humans. If we read the newspaper daily, it can develop our reading habit and make us more fluent. It also has mind-brain exercise games like puzzles, Sudoku and more to sharpen people’s brains. Furthermore, you can also go through the comic strips and cartoons to keep yourself entertained.

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

A World Without Newspapers

As the world is advancing rapidly, everything is becoming digital. From our shopping to news, we can easily do it on our smartphones or computers . This digitization has also affected the newspaper scenario. As people are getting instant updates on their phones about the latest news, the sales of newspapers have gone down massively.

Does this mean the digital era will wipe out the newspapers? Looking at the present scenario, this possibility might soon become a reality. However, are we ready to have a world without newspapers? A world without newspapers is like having a home without mirrors. This means we won’t be able to see our own reflection.

Now, compare this situation to that of the world and newspaper. Imagine the world has lost its national mirror, resulting in you not being able to get an honest reflection of what is happening around. What’s even worse is the fact that instead of the national mirror we are getting a fun-house mirror which is distorting the information and making you see what’s not real.

In short, the world will become a free rein for politicians to propagate their advertising and agendas to the public. The information won’t be reliable and won’t even be scrutinized. We won’t have any journalists to decipher the PR spin of the governments and corporate firms robbing the common man of their money.

FAQs on Newspaper

Q.1 What is the significance of the newspaper?

A.1 Newspapers are very important in giving us information about the world. They make us aware and increase our knowledge about current affairs. They also give us job opportunities.

Q.2 Why are newspaper sales declining?

A.2 As the world is becoming more digital, people are getting news on their phones and computers instantly. Thus, they are opting for digital news over newspapers.

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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.

Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.

When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!

In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.

However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.

For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.

Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.

Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.

• Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
• Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
• Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
• What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
• Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
• Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
• Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
• Is cheerleading considered a sport?
• Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
• Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
• Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
• Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
• Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
• Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
• Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
• Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
• Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
• Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
• Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
• Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
• Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
• Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
• Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
• Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
• Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
• Should guns be allowed in public places?
• Should the national drinking age be lowered?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
• Should the government be able to control the population?
• Is the death penalty ethical?

Environment

• Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
• Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
• Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
• Should people be fined for not recycling?
• Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
• Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
• Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
• Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
• Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?

Science & Technology

• Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
• Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
• Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
• Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
• Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
• Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
• Should cloning be illegal?
• Should societies colonize other planets?
• Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?

Social Media

• Should there be an age limit on social media?
• Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
• Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
• Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
• Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
• Should social media be censored?
• Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
• Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
• Is social media distorting democracy?
• How many branches of government should there be?
• Who is the best/worst president of all time?
• How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
• Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
• Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
• Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
• Should the electoral college be dismantled?
• Should the U.S. have open borders?
• Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
• Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
• Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
• Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
• Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
• Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
• Should the church be separated from the state?
• Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Parenting & Family

• Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
• Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
• Does birth order affect personality?
• Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
• Are family traditions important?
• Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
• Should “spanking” children be illegal?
• Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
• Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?

Entertainment

• Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
• Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
• Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
• Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
• Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
• Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
• Is the movie rating system still effective?
• Should celebrities have more privacy rights?

Arts & Humanities

• Are libraries becoming obsolete?
• Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
• Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
• Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
• Should digital designs be considered an art form? 
• Should abstract art be considered an art form?
• Is music therapy effective?
• Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
• Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
• Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
• Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
• Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
• Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
• Should food allergies be considered a disease?
• Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
• Is using painkillers healthy?
• Should genetically modified foods be banned?
• Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
• Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
• Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can  use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Do Your Research

A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.

Understand Your Audience

It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.

Have Someone Read Your Speech

Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!

Practice Makes Perfect

After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!

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Speech On Newspaper

Newspaper/Newspaper is an important part of our life. We all read newspaper/newspaper, some read it for political news, some for gossip news, and some for editorial news – everyone’s needs are different. In this way the importance of newspaper/newspaper is talked about every time to increase the number of readers and inculcate the habit of reading. So if there is a need for a brief discussion on newspaper/newspaper then read all these speeches carefully and get knowledge on this topic

Table of Contents

Long and Short Speech on Newspaper in English

Good morning students – how are you all?

I hope you all have enjoyed the winter vacation as much as I did. After this break I am sure none of the students will be in any mood to read and since this is your first class after vacation I would like to start it off with little rest and slowly take you back to your books I want

So today instead of studying I want to talk about the importance of newspaper/newspaper. Newspapers/Newspapers It is a good source of knowledge for all of us but unfortunately I never got (view) many of my students reading newspapers/newspapers. It is not just a simple paper that comes to our homes every morning. They have actually become very important since they were introduced to humanity. From the time of British Raj till now, newspapers/newspapers are considered a good medium to spread awareness and give information about employment events. Newspapers serve as an important medium for making announcements.

These days we get to read various regional and local newspapers as well as national dailies which are read by people from all over the country and by every section of our society. Newspapers are published and circulated in almost all major languages ​​of our country like Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada etc. As far as the content of the newspaper is concerned, different genres are also included in it apart from daily schedules to cater to the interests of different readers. In fact, in the interest of readers, many agencies publish weekly magazines along with their newspapers/newspapers.

The importance of newspaper/newspaper is wide in our life with the help of which we remain aware about the latest political, national and international developments and discussed issues. This helps us to gain knowledge on every possible aspect – whether it is news based on economic, entertainment, cultural, political or social issues from around the world. Many companies use print media like newspapers/newspapers to give job descriptions or make public announcements about any other important news. Commercial advertisements and endorsements can be spread very far due to the publication in the newspaper. In which people get information about the latest products coming in the market.

The newspaper therefore acts as an industry-consumer interface, helping them build strong relationships. Apart from this, newspapers/newspapers also have an editorial page in which readers get a chance to express their views about any issue. Through this the readers get a great platform to share their concerns, concepts, ideas as well as build communication.

Thus, newspaper is that essential resource which is necessary for the people of all sections of the society. So why were my students deprived of it? You should try to inculcate the habit of reading newspaper in yourself on regular basis so that you will experience a healthy change in yourself. Also, encourage this habit of newspaper reading in your peer group and engage in discussions and debates for your intellectual development.

That’s all I have to say. Thank you!

Hello friends – Hello everyone!

Your ‘host’ today, Saurabh Shukla, welcomes all of you to the 21st function of the Indian Express newspaper. Friends, as you all know that our team has been able to achieve its annual sales target which is a big win for us. So considering the importance of today’s day, I am going to give a short speech in detail about the importance of newspaper/newspaper in our daily life.

Newspaper/Newspaper has become an essential part of our life. Although digital development has affected the sale of newspaper/newspaper but people who realize its importance still buy and read it. According to Wikipedia, India is the largest market for newspapers in the world with more than 100 million newspapers sold every day, ignoring the fact that today the Internet has a strong hold on people’s lives. Reading digital version of newspapers i.e. e-newspaper on their mobile phones and tablets to keep updated.

Now tell us what important role news has played in our life. If I talk about the importance of newspaper/newspaper in the field of education, it really helps the students to strengthen the education by giving practical examples in the field of education. For example, if students are studying the effects of politics – its pros and cons – the teacher can present some real life examples from a newspaper/newspaper. Through newspapers, students can understand the real impact of reconstruction on the lives of people and society at large.

Another example could be that in the higher secondary classes, if the students of political science learn about the important role of the Prime Minister of a country, the teacher can effectively teach them about their day-to-day life by giving examples from the life of their current Prime Minister. Can teach them by highlighting the activities. Information about the day-to-day activities of the Prime Minister can be obtained through newspapers/newspapers. Thus I feel that newspapers play an important role in the progress of practical education.

Apart from this, students get a lot of benefits from reading newspapers/newspapers as they can increase their knowledge of words. Be it Political Science, Economics, Hindi or any other subject, students can easily get terminology and related information according to their source and interest. Just as we have an “economic page section” in a newspaper for economics students, there is also an editorial page for literature or political science students.

Apart from improving the knowledge of their words, the habit of reading newspaper also increases the general knowledge of the people and spreads awareness about the latest popular news in different parts of our country and in the world . What more is needed than this?

You even get a whole section in the newspaper for employment/career etc which is published weekly and helps the students to be aware about various exams, jobs and career related opportunities.

So the habit of reading newspaper daily never goes in vain and it also proves useful in many ways. That’s all I had to say.

Honorable Principal, Vice-Principal, Teachers and my dear fellow students – Greetings to all of you!

Now that the meeting is about to end, I – Sakshi Kalra – a student of class 9 (A) would like to take this opportunity to talk about the important role of newspapers/newspapers in our lives. Newspaper is an important part of modern civilization. It is generally considered as a record of the events of the day or what you call current events. However, the role of a newspaper/newspaper is much more than just a collection of news. Do you know when newspapers/newspapers were first published in the world?

Well, the first newspaper of India was published on 29 January 1780. Which was known as Hickey Bengal Gazetteer or Bengal Gazetteer. Bengal Gazette  is known as the first newspaper of India. This newspaper was published from Kolkata. Since then the distribution of newspaper/newspaper has only increased. It has indeed become a mark of modern civilization.

Now newspaper/newspaper has become a platform to strengthen the voice of the public, give opinion. Different news are printed in newspapers to meet the needs of different categories of different subjects. People from every section of the society read it – be it a businessman, a common man working in a job, a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer or a politician – this is how the newspaper/newspaper serves the purpose of everyone. For example, through newspapers/newspapers, lawyers get to know what is happening in the judiciary. Whether political or social injustice has happened to anyone or not.

Businessmen also read newspapers and collect information related to commerce and trade in the country and abroad. Teachers and students come closer to each other through newspaper/newspaper. It acts as a medium of learning and teaching.

Even politicians find newspaper/newspaper quite useful to know their political opinion towards the people. MK. Gandhi modified Young India to express his opinion about India’s independence.

It was the newspaper/newspaper that played an important role in bringing people together to fight for freedom or boost their morale to gain freedom. When any news of crime or corruption is published in the newspaper/newspaper then the police become active. The government also tracks the public grievances of the people through newspaper/newspaper. The government tries to deal with them seriously.

Since the role of newspaper/newspaper is to show truth to its people without taking any side, it should be free from any bias or bias. It should act as a powerful force to strengthen the pillar of democracy. But unfortunately journalists are often subjected to violence in their pursuit of truth and for describing complete transparency. Do we not read such reports of journalists being humiliated, tortured or terrorized and often killed by anti-social elements present in our society?

The editors are also bribed to portray the true news as wrong or the wrong news in the right direction. Politicians also express their anger against petty news stories where honest journalists often face persecution. So I feel that the lives of journalists should be protected and immoral people should be punished.

Dear Colleagues – Today I welcome you to this speech ceremony.

I, Akshat Khanna, your host for today, would like to address my speech about the growing importance of newspaper/newspaper. But before that I want to ask you the definition of newspaper/newspaper. How would you define a newspaper?

Newspaper comes under the category of print media and is defined as a repository of news of national as well as global level. It is a printed material whose primary objective is to update people with the latest news and events. Information comes to us through newspaper/newspaper from every possible direction i.e. East, West, North and South Despite the huge changes in digital media by the revolution in technology and print media, today’s modern world is still without the presence of newspapers. is found to be incomplete. Thus newspaper/newspaper is not just a printed piece of paper but an important document which contains important information, news, latest happenings, advertisements, reviews etc. Newspapers/newspapers can be called the ears and eyes of the world.

In today’s world of smart phones and tablets, some people’s mornings don’t start without reading newspaper/newspaper. It is not even possible to imagine a day without newspaper/newspaper because without it how people will update themselves every morning. Hence newspaper is an important part of our daily life.

Newspaper/newspaper provides us information on every possible subject like science, art, sports, business, crime, fashion etc. Each page of the newspaper has its own importance. It not only makes us aware of what is happening in our country but also the news of other countries. This is followed by a health column to spread awareness about the development of health. As far as entertainment is concerned there is a column of crossword puzzles, comic cartoons as well as astrological facts. Newspapers also come with columns for marriages, job vacancies etc.

Newspaper/newspaper is full of advertisement as newspaper/newspaper is a great source of earning for agencies. So reading newspaper is a good habit and it should be encouraged and if you do not have these habits then you should try to inculcate it so that you can get more information about what is happening around the world.

On the other hand newspaper/newspaper provides employment to thousands of people and is a good source of income for many people – not only for agencies but also for writers, editors, marketing team etc. In fact those who sell or distribute newspapers/newspapers on the street find a source of earning their livelihood on the street. The newspaper/newspaper is printed in all the major languages ​​so you don’t have to change your language to be able to read the newspaper. In some schools it is a rule that every morning all the students must read the news with their peers.

So no matter how busy we are in our life, we should never cut the habit of reading newspaper/newspaper and take as much information as possible.

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75 Persuasive Speech Topics and Ideas

October 4, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

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

What is persuasive speech?

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

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

How to choose a topic for your speech

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

Familiarity

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

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

The audience’s interest

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

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

Not overdone

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

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

Emotional topics

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

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

Desired outcome

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

Persuasive speech topics

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

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

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

Arts/Culture

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

Business and economy

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

Law and politics

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

Science and the environment

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

World peace

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

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

After choosing your topic

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

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

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

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

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110 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Impress Your Audience

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

Learn what makes a persuasive speech with these topics

Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

Does the persuasive speech topic interest you?

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

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

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

Will the persuasive speech topic interest your audience?

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

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

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

Has the persuasive speech topic been covered too many times?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Art, Media, and Culture

Should tattoos still be considered “unprofessional”?

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

Should offensive and inappropriate language be removed from classic literature?

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

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

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

College and Career

Should the cost of college be reduced?

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

Should college athletes be paid like professional athletes are?

Are same-sex colleges beneficial or antiquated?

Should everyone go to college?

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

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

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

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

Economy and Work

Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

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

Should everyone receive paid maternity and paternity leave?

Is capitalism a harmful or beneficial economic system?

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

Would three-day weekends increase work productivity?

Should working from home be the new standard?

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

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

Should there be a mandatory retirement age?

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

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

How can sex education be taught more effectively?

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

What are the benefits of year-round schools?

Are charter schools hurting or helping low-income communities?

Is homeschooling beneficial or harmful to children?

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

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

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

Are grades an accurate representation of learning?

Should we switch to the metric system?

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

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

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

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

Environment and Conservation

Should fuel-run vehicles be banned?

How does it benefit nature to reduce human paper consumption?

Should it be okay to own exotic animals as pets?

Should hunting be made illegal?

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

Should disposable diapers be banned?

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

Family and Religion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the most beneficial parenting style and why?

Should cults receive protection under freedom of religion?

What are the benefits of belonging to a religious community?

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

Government and International Relations

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

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

How long should judges serve on the Supreme Court?

Should the U.S. have open borders?

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

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

Should the government focus on increasing revenue or reducing spending?

Health and Medicine

Should universal health care be freely given to everyone? 

Should soda and candy be banned from school campuses?

Should tobacco products be completely banned in America?

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

Should addiction counseling and treatment be covered by health insurance?

Would taxing fast food help combat obesity?

Should we ban all genetically modified foods?

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

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

Politics and Society

Should voting become mandatory?

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

Should prisoners have the right to vote?

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

Should the police use rubber bullets instead of real bullets?

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

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

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

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

Should major corporations be eligible for tax breaks?

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

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

Science and Technology

Should animal testing be banned?

Should organ donation be optional or mandated for all?

Is artificial intelligence a threat?

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

What is the best option for renewable energy?

Should military forces be allowed to use drones in warfare?

Should self-driving cars be illegal?

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

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

Should the government more strictly regulate the Internet?

How much screen time is too much?

Should everyone receive free internet?

Should we build a colony on the moon?

Social Media

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

Should schools be responsible for teaching safe social media education?

When should children be allowed to have a cell phone?

What should the punishment be for cyberbullying? 

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

Are social media influencers beneficial or harmful to society?

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

Is cancel culture a positive or a negative thing?

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

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94 Newspaper Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best newspaper topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 simple & easy newspaper essay titles, 👍 good research topics about newspaper, 📌 most interesting newspaper topics to write about.

• Academic vs. Newspaper Article Writing In the case of writing an article for the Times Newspaper and academic writing, they both differ in their objectives and in the audience they cater to.
• Newspaper Article Analysis The topic can make one to believe that there is a certain group trying to overthrow the government in place but, this is not the case.
• Newspapers, Books, Magazines as Media Forms The aim of the current research is to analyze the role of the media and assess the importance of newspapers, books, and magazines as media forms.
• Media Convergence and Newspaper Publication The convergence of media that resulted in the digitized form of The New York Times and Washington Post is the testament to the power of Information Technology and the changing needs of people. In this […]
• Newspaper Collection and General Recycling GR has a higher responsibility for quality due to the specifics of the general disposal and specifies the quantity and class of the material before collection.
• Newspaper Industry and the Internet Most of the readers are now finding the news in newspapers somewhat stale considering that the news on the internet is instant, fresh and immediate.
• Newspaper Article and Scientific Research: Comparison The text of the research article is obviously not so easy to read compared to the text from the New York Post.
• War and Violence Metaphors in Newspaper Headlines For both purposes, the use of metaphorical language in headlines is crucial to catch the people’s attention and to trigger a chain of association that will direct the readers’ focus to a particular side of […]
• Unemployment, Labor, and Government Economic Forces The article, “The State of Economics”, is an article that discusses the turmoil between economists of the current age in trying to reconcile economic principles with both the classical and Keynesian economic theories of the […]
• A Healthcare Study in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper The independent variable was the participants’ cannabis use, and the objective/subjective factors were the effectiveness of sleep, the rapidity of falling asleep, and the number of awakenings at night.
• Newspaper Coverage of Adolf Hitler’s Death It marks the end of the era of the terrible events of the Holocaust, the seizure of Poland, the extermination of millions of people.
• Research of Lifespan in Newspaper The major focus of the study was to identify the cities with the shortest rate of life duration. The researchers used the observational research method and qualitative research design as they gathered the data from […]
• Addressing Several Law Cases and a Newspaper Article For instance, the teleological approach suggests that the decision of the Nevada Supreme Court was reasonable and rightful because it was the best option to bring the highest level of good and the least level […]
• Newspaper Press Apogee in the Early 20th Century The development of more effective and quick printing methods resulted in the rise of the use of newspapers all over the world and the newspaper press was at all times prepared to capture any events […]
• Muslim Women’s Representation in America in Newspapers This article is devoted to studying statistics that link various areas of the lives of Muslim women and their employment in America.
• Biases and Sources in Newspaper Articles About the Coronavirus The coronavirus is unpredictable and hard to control, and people have to cooperate, communicate, and exchange available information to predict the growth of complications and health-related problems.
• “Westside Today” and “Gazette Newspapers”: Comparative Characteristics The popularity of newspapers depends on the predominance of certain groups in the area, the values that have established themselves in that particular community and the ability of the newspaper to interest the reader by […]
• Internet Impact on Journalism: Print vs. Online Newspapers The purpose of the investigation is to examine the impact of the Internet on journalism with the help of analyzing the role of print newspapers, online newspapers, and social networking in presenting the information and […]
• Newspaper Interpretations of Dred Scott vs. Sanford In retrospect, it is obvious that Northern anti-slavery interpretations of the Dred Scott decision were much more accurate than Southern pro-slavery interpretations.
• Newspapers: Commercialism and Information It is by virtue of this final that it comes evident the lack of government’s support in terms of subsidies to the press in the current regarded capitalist system full of democracy but only makes […]
• Internet and Traditional Newspaper Industry First of all, in order to understand the major tendencies in changing media popularity, it is necessary to look at the differences in technological processes of news production on the Web and in traditional newspapers.
• Newspaper Accounts of First Nations People As the article is overloaded with details, one can assume that the author intentionally directs the reader’s attention to the industriousness with which the entities of judicial and executive power have been trying to keep […]
• News Nowadays: Digitalization of Newspapers However, the digitalization of the newspapers has adversely impacted the quality of news, as it has led to the rise of fake news.
• Leadership at The New York Times Newspaper Wisdom comes in handy when the leader is balancing the interests of shareholders such that the leader’s actions lead to the common good.
• Jonesboro Newspaper’s Budget and Cash Flow A budget enables an individual to forecast the amount of money to be realized upon the execution of a given undertaking. A part of the income from the company will be used to cater for […]
• Portrayal of Ernesto Che Guevara by American Newspapers In his article, Llosa remarks that people do not know the real character of Guevara’s actions and therefore “cling to a myth”.
• Chernobyl Disaster in New York Newspapers Still, media statements from 1986, and especially the day of the initial report, can be considered the first reaction of the media to the accident.
• Newspaper Industry and Its Challenges Nowadays, the majority of researchers who are concerned about the problem of the dissemination of information in the modern world acknowledge that news organizations are having significant financial troubles related to changes on a global […]
• Local Newspaper and Its Social Media Advertising The exploration of the role of advertising on the Internet in the process of raising the profitability of the company contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism used by the World Wide Web for […]
• Financial Times Newspaper Brand Marketing The Financial Times is a British newspaper that is published in London that primarily focuses on the financial market in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.
• Newspapers’ Discussion: School Desegregation In spite of the fact that many newspaper authors covered the school desegregation events rather subjectively, the approaches to discussing the process of school desegregation in the American states are different in relation to the […]
• Newspaper Readership Decline Factors Basing on the apparent trends of newspaper readership, the media systems predict that the future of newspapers seems untenable because of the increasing decline in newspaper readership.
• Newspaper Report and TV Report: Comparison and Contrast Conversely, the audience relates to the story through the tone of voice of the reporter as well as the appearance of the characters in the TV report.
• Ideologies in Newspaper Writing On the contrary, ideology is linked to the ruling system since the distortion implicated on the ideology reflects the interest of the rulers.
• Newspapers Are Under Attack From The Net. What Strategies Might Be Followed To Survive? The way to go for the newspapers is to provide the detailed facts that blogs and short articles on the internet do not provide.
• Constitutional Rights for Campus Newspaper Editors The code of conduct should always be in line with the provisions in the constitution of the country especially in areas where the rights of the students are likely to be affected or are threatened.
• Michigan Newspapers’ Biased Coverage of Jewish Persecution in Germany In the period of 1933-1939, which encompasses Hitler’s rise to power that saw a sustained persecution of Jews in Germany and the pogroms, which culminated in the Night of The Broken Glass, the reception of […]
• The Decline of Newspapers in the US The decline of newspapers in the US is attributed to decrease in readership of newspaper across the country. The increasing economic challenges experienced by newspaper companies have made the prices of their stocks to decline, […]
• Printed Newspapers in US This paper looks at the characteristics of the target market that could be the reason, highlights the author’s reasons to believe that this product is declining in appeal, makes recommendations, and discusses a turnaround strategy.
• The Newspaper Publishing Industry in Australia The fate of newspaper publishing industry across the world and in Australia continues to be unknown. Demographic segmentation enables the industry to succeed in formulating products and services that cater for the needs of customers.
• Product Repositioning in a Newspaper A research may be carried out to ascertain what percentage of the population still buys a newspaper and the reason for doing that. It is crucial to keep a database of the places to deliver […]
• Nepean Barrhaven EMC: Newspaper Analysis Reading this issue of the newspaper, it is possible to guess that the editor and the authors of the articles pay special attention to the health of the community.
• Newspaper Response on Buddhism Finally, the author estimates that harmony is the “essential ingredient” of all religions and it is a guarantee of the welfare of all nations.
• The Newspaper Critic on Gender Inequalities in Canada Jasmeet Sidhu says in his article in the Star ‘Gender inequality distorts Politics,’ that since Canada elected Agnes MacPhail into the House of Commons in 1921, the country has made major steps in bridging the […]
• Newspaper Reactions to Brown V. Board of Education It is therefore incorrect to note that the difference in Newspaper reaction to the Brown V. Board of education case was a representation of the difference in opinion between the Southern states and other states.
• Solution for the Decline of Circulation of Newspaper
• Goodwill Hunting and Profit Sharing: Decision-Making in a Newspaper Chain
• Prices and Network Eects in Two-Sided Markets: the Belgian Newspaper Industry
• The Main Issues Involving the Ownership of The Canadian Newspaper Industry
• Early Colonial Era Newspaper Accounts of Conflicts, Disease, and Westward Expansion
• What Effect Does Online News Edition Have on Printed Newspaper
• Printted Newspaper vs. Online Newspapers
• The Argument Between the Communitarians and Liberals in the Newspaper Article The American Prospect Online
• How Internet Affects The Newspaper Business
• Difference Between Internet Advertising and Newspaper Advertising
• Predicting Bitcoin Returns: Comparing the Roles of Newspaper- and Internet Search-Based Measures of Uncertainty
• External Environment Analysis For The Newspaper Industry
• Newspaper Reading and Relating to the Human Bill of Rights
• Sensationalism, Newspaper Profits and the Marginal Value of Watergate
• How the Newspaper and Music Industry Has Changed Because of E-Commerce
• Various Analysis Tools Applied to The Newspaper Industry
• Circulations, Revenues, and Profits in a Newspaper Market with Fixed Advertising Costs
• Uses and Gratification: Nigerian Students Use of Newspaper
• Damaging Sexual Stereotypes about Women in TV and Newspaper Ads
• Gender Stereotypes and the Credibility of Newspaper Articles Associated
• Newspaper Differentiation and Investments in Journalism: The Role of Tax Policy
• Meet the Press: How Voters and Politicians Respond to Newspaper Entry and Exit
• Modernism: Newspaper and Miss Representation
• Media Bias and Influence: Evidence from Newspaper Endorsements
• Lexical Features Structure Features and Rhetorical Devices of English Newspaper
• The Newspaper Industry’s Contribution to the Economy
• Newspaper Reading Habbit Among School Teachers
• Using Newspaper Magazine Articles Online Databases Strayer Learning Resources
• Newspaper: How Did the American Newspapers Report on Events Taking Place in Europe During the Holocaust
• Newspaper Journalism During The Revolutionary War
• Why The Newspaper Companies Are Suffering From Decline
• The Real Estate Section of the Local Newspaper
• The Newspaper Industry and the Changes in the Last 20 Years
• Legal and Economic Aspects in Theft of Newspapers: Using a Model of Newspaper Value
• Daily Newspaper Advertising Rates, Local Media Cross-Ownership, Newspaper Chains, and Media Competition
• The Scotsman and The Guardian: Which Newspaper Is Better
• Scale Economics, Market Power, and Pricing Behavior Evidence from German Newspaper and Magazine Publishing
• The Early Twentieth Century’s Immigration and the Newspaper Jobs
• Utilizing Newspaper Advertise Women Advertisements Society
• Fracking and Metaphor: Analysing Newspaper Discourse in the USA, Australia and the United Kingdom
• Online Community Essay Topics
• Media Bias Questions
• Information Management Paper Topics
• Mobile Technology Paper Topics
• Computers Essay Ideas
• Media Ethics Titles
• Satire Essay Ideas
• Media Analysis Topics
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

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

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

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

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

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

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

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

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

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Business and Economy

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

Social Media

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

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics 

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

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Politics and Government

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

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

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

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

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

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

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

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

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

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

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

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

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

Lauren Green

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

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Speech Topics - 100s of them!

By:  Susan Dugdale   | Last modified: 01-10-2023

Speech ideas ordered by speech type & theme 

So you're preparing to give a speech.

The next step, unless you've been told or you've already decided for yourself, is choosing a topic.

What will you talk about?  There are literally so many possibilities.

To make choosing a subject easier, here's a collection of speech topic suggestions arranged either by speech type,  age group or theme. 

• Demonstration speech topics  (5 pages: 738 + topics)
• Speech topics for kids  (2 pages: 150 + topics)
• Persuasive topics  (6 pages: 998+ topics)

125 examples of narrative speech topics

• 60 vocal variety and body language topics

145 good cause and effect topics for students

• Fun public speaking topics  (2 pages:165 topics)
• 180+ interesting topics for students  (1 page: 180 + topics)
• Good informative speech topics  (1 page: 100s of topics)
• Commemorative speech topic ideas  (1 page: themes)
• Argumentative/controversial speech topics  (1 page: 290 topics)
• Easter themed speech topics  (1 page: 32 topics)
• Impromptu speech topics  (4 pages: 570 topics)
• Printable impromptu speech topics  (98 proverbs or quotations ready-to-go)

Teacher or student, these lists are for you.

I hope they're useful! Happy speaking, Susan

Demonstration speech ideas

These are the 'show and tell' or 'how to' speeches where you demonstrate a skill, make something, or explain how something works. Think of these speeches as stepping through a process from beginning to end, showing and explaining every step of the way.

The goal of them is often to inspire those listening to try whatever is being shown for themselves.

I have five pages of topics specifically selected because they are good for demonstration speeches. You'll see the lists are adaptable to meet the needs of people of middle school age and upwards.

• 290 themed 'how to' demonstration speech ideas   
• 6 themed demonstration topic lists using the magic of 'how'
• 50 soft skill 'how to' demonstrative speech topics
• 100+ 10-minute, or less, demonstration speech topics
• 188 funny how-to speech topics

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Speech topics for kids

I've got two pages of speech topics especially chosen with children in mind. They're mainly for kids in the middle school age bracket (11 - 14 years old) but are readily adaptable for those either younger or older.

Both pages are really useful if you're a teacher or parent looking for inspiration! I've carefully put together lists covering social/community issues, arts and culture, sports and games, food, fun and whimsy, hobbies, and more. 

-  8 themed lists of speech topics for children

- 50+ elocution topics for kids

Persuasive speech topics

Convince me!

Change my mind!

Challenge my thinking!

Convert me!

And, if appropriate, make me laugh!

Whatever topic you choose you will be expected to take a position on it and persuade your audience to consider what you're saying about it seriously.

For example:

'To be vegan is the only right, and moral way to live.'

'Good or right thinking is a matter of opinion.' 

My six persuasive speech topic pages are below.

• 50 good persuasive speech topics
• 5 0+ persuasive speech topic ideas
• 105 fun persuasive speech topics
• 309 easy persuasive speech topics
• 310 persuasive speech topics for college
• 108 feminist persuasive speech topics

125 strong ideas for effective story telling speeches, preparation guidelines, plus a printable narrative speech outline.

If you're looking for suggestions for the Toastmasters Level Three Project 'Connect with storytelling' these will get you off to a great start.

Go to: 125 examples of narrative speech topics

60 vocal variety & body language topics

60 speech topic ideas to help you work with body language and gesture. They're perfect for evocative personal storytelling speeches or for either of these Toastmasters Pathway projects:

• Level 2: Learning Your Style: Effective Body Language or,
• Level 1:  Mastering Fundamentals: Vocal Variety and Body Language

Go to 6 0 vocal variety and body language speech topics

Cause and effect topics for speeches and essays to challenge, connect and make a difference. With explanations, examples and a free printable blank fish bone diagram, (an extremely useful visual cause and effect analytical tool), to download for your own use.

Go to 145 good cause and effect topics

Fun public speaking topics

They're silly; deliberately daft and ridiculous!

These speech topics focus on light-hearted nonsense, tilting the world side-ways, giving your audience a glimpse of it funny side-up.

Gems include:

• 'How to procrastinate like a professional',
• 'How to look innocent',
• 'Why lying can be useful', ...

Go on. Make them snort with laughter. Visit:

• 60 fun public speaking topics for kids of all ages 
• 1 88 funny how-to speech topics

180 + interesting speech topic ideas

Here's a page of topic suggestions encouraging people to push beyond ordinary.

There's a bundle of 50 ideas around the growing influence of social media, a collection of 45 thought provoking suggestions centered on your very own community and family history, 61 'weird' topics, and more. 

You only need ONE truly bright and original idea, right?

Have a look here for it.

There are  180  interesting speech topic ideas   to browse through. 

Good informative speech topics

An informative speech does what its title says: it informs. It gives the facts about the topic. Not people's feelings about the subject - just the facts.

Informational speech topic possibilities are quite truly endless.  Use my page as a beginning to set your own creative juices in motion.

Visit:  100s of good informational speech topics

Commemorative speech topic ideas

A commemorative or tribute speech honors the memory of  a person, a group, an institution, a thing, an event or an idea.

Use this  commemorative speech topic helper  page (and its resource links) to identify the right topic and theme to match the event you've been asked to speak at.

239 controversial or argumentative speech topics

These topics are deliberately provocative. They cover four broad areas affecting us all: the food we eat, our children (from infancy through to teenage years), and the communities/countries we live in.

In addition to the 239 topics there are comprehensive guidelines about choosing the best topic: one fitting yourself and your audience. 

Find yourself a controversial speech topic .

Note: these topics are best suited for high school and college students.

32 Easter themed speech topics

Easter - what is its history? What are the special days, like Palm Sunday, all about? What do bunnies and chocolate eggs have to do with it? Why does the White House have a tradition of egg-rolling as part of its Easter celebrations?

Use this page of 32  Easter speech topic possibilities  to find an idea for an inspirational  demonstration or an interesting informative speech.

Impromptu speech topics

Help! I have a class and need lots of impromptu speech topics for them to practice with.

You've got them here. I have four pages of topics for impromptu speeches.

You'll find them suitable for middle school and upwards. They're great for public speaking clubs too.

• 200 impromptu speech topics
• 150 1 minute speech topics - with sample speech outlines, speeches: full text & audio
• 11 themed sets of fun topics for impromptu speeches
• 80+ themed table topic questions, with printables   

And last, but not least there's ...

98 printable impromptu speech topic cards, an almost* instantly available resource for busy public speaking teachers.

If you're time-poor and need a grab-and-go solution to your "HELP! I want speech topics for my public speaking class, and I need them now" problem, check these out.

Printable Impromptu Speech Topic Cards

* It'll take you 5 minutes to select the set you want, (proverbs or quotations), pay, and have it downloaded ready for printing. You'll be getting 98 themed speech topic cards - a great reusable resource for $4.75.

& One Minute Speeches!

Another almost instantly available resource.

A fun and hugely effective impromptu speaking activity. You get topics + instructions for the core activity, plus three advanced variations for $5.95. Take a look - One Minute Speeches .

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9.2 Researching and Supporting Your Speech

Learning objectives.

• Identify appropriate methods for conducting college-level research.
• Distinguish among various types of sources.
• Evaluate the credibility of sources.
• Identify various types of supporting material.
• Employ visual aids that enhance a speaker’s message.

We live in an age where access to information is more convenient than ever before. The days of photocopying journal articles in the stacks of the library or looking up newspaper articles on microfilm are over for most. Yet, even though we have all this information at our fingertips, research skills are more important than ever. Our challenge now is not accessing information but discerning what information is credible and relevant. Even though it may sound inconvenient to have to physically go to the library, students who did research before the digital revolution did not have to worry as much about discerning. If you found a source in the library, you could be assured of its credibility because a librarian had subscribed to or purchased that content. When you use Internet resources like Google or Wikipedia, you have no guarantees about some of the content that comes up.

Finding Supporting Material

As was noted in Section 9.1 “Selecting and Narrowing a Topic” , it’s good to speak about something you are already familiar with. So existing knowledge forms the first step of your research process. Depending on how familiar you are with a topic, you will need to do more or less background research before you actually start incorporating sources to support your speech. Background research is just a review of summaries available for your topic that helps refresh or create your knowledge about the subject. It is not the more focused and academic research that you will actually use to support and verbally cite in your speech. Figure 9.3 “Research Process” illustrates the research process. Note that you may go through some of these steps more than once.

Figure 9.3 Research Process

I will reiterate several times in this chapter that your first step for research in college should be library resources, not Google or Bing or other general search engines. In most cases, you can still do your library research from the comfort of a computer, which makes it as accessible as Google but gives you much better results. Excellent and underutilized resources at college and university libraries are reference librarians. Reference librarians are not like the people who likely staffed your high school library. They are information-retrieval experts. At most colleges and universities, you can find a reference librarian who has at least a master’s degree in library and information sciences, and at some larger or specialized schools, reference librarians have doctoral degrees. I liken research to a maze, and reference librarians can help you navigate the maze. There may be dead ends, but there’s always another way around to reach the end goal. Unfortunately, many students hit their first dead end and give up or assume that there’s not enough research out there to support their speech. Trust me, if you’ve thought of a topic to do your speech on, someone else has thought of it, too, and people have written and published about it. Reference librarians can help you find that information. I recommend that you meet with a reference librarian face-to-face and take your assignment sheet and topic idea with you. In most cases, students report that they came away with more information than they needed, which is good because you can then narrow that down to the best information. If you can’t meet with a reference librarian face-to-face, many schools now offer the option to do a live chat with a reference librarian, and you can also contact them by e-mail or phone.

College and university libraries are often at the cutting edge of information retrieval for academic research.

Andre Vandal – The Morrin College Library – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Aside from the human resources available in the library, you can also use electronic resources such as library databases. Library databases help you access more credible and scholarly information than what you will find using general Internet searches. These databases are quite expensive, and you can’t access them as a regular citizen without paying for them. Luckily, some of your tuition dollars go to pay for subscriptions to these databases that you can then access as a student. Through these databases, you can access newspapers, magazines, journals, and books from around the world. Of course, libraries also house stores of physical resources like DVDs, books, academic journals, newspapers, and popular magazines. You can usually browse your library’s physical collection through an online catalog search. A trip to the library to browse is especially useful for books. Since most university libraries use the Library of Congress classification system, books are organized by topic. That means if you find a good book using the online catalog and go to the library to get it, you should take a moment to look around that book, because the other books in that area will be topically related. On many occasions, I have used this tip and gone to the library for one book but left with several.

Although Google is not usually the best first stop for conducting college-level research, Google Scholar is a separate search engine that narrows results down to scholarly materials. This version of Google has improved much over the past few years and has served as a good resource for my research, even for this book. A strength of Google Scholar is that you can easily search for and find articles that aren’t confined to a particular library database. Basically, the pool of resources you are searching is much larger than what you would have using a library database. The challenge is that you have no way of knowing if the articles that come up are available to you in full-text format. As noted earlier, most academic journal articles are found in databases that require users to pay subscription fees. So you are often only able to access the abstracts of articles or excerpts from books that come up in a Google Scholar search. You can use that information to check your library to see if the article is available in full-text format, but if it isn’t, you have to go back to the search results. When you access Google Scholar on a campus network that subscribes to academic databases, however, you can sometimes click through directly to full-text articles. Although this resource is still being improved, it may be a useful alternative or backup when other search strategies are leading to dead ends.

Types of Sources

There are several different types of sources that may be relevant for your speech topic. Those include periodicals, newspapers, books, reference tools, interviews, and websites. It is important that you know how to evaluate the credibility of each type of source material.

Periodicals

Periodicals include magazines and journals, as they are published periodically. There are many library databases that can access periodicals from around the world and from years past. A common database is Academic Search Premiere (a similar version is Academic Search Complete). Many databases, like this one, allow you to narrow your search terms, which can be very helpful as you try to find good sources that are relevant to your topic. You may start by typing a key word into the first box and searching. Sometimes a general search like this can yield thousands of results, which you obviously wouldn’t have time to look through. In this case you may limit your search to results that have your keyword in the abstract , which is the author-supplied summary of the source. If there are still too many results, you may limit your search to results that have your keyword in the title. At this point, you may have reduced those ten thousand results down to a handful, which is much more manageable.

Within your search results, you will need to distinguish between magazines and academic journals. In general, academic journals are considered more scholarly and credible than magazines because most of the content in them is peer reviewed. The peer-review process is the most rigorous form of review, which takes several months to years and ensures that the information that is published has been vetted and approved by numerous experts on the subject. Academic journals are usually affiliated with professional organizations rather than for-profit corporations, and neither authors nor editors are paid for their contributions. For example, the Quarterly Journal of Speech is one of the oldest journals in communication studies and is published by the National Communication Association.

The National Communication Association publishes several peer-reviewed academic journals.

The National Communication Association’s office in Washington D.C., courtesy of Wikimedia Commons – CC BY-SA 3.0.

If your instructor wants you to have sources from academic journals, you can often click a box to limit your search results to those that are “peer reviewed.” There are also subject-specific databases you can use to find periodicals. For example, Communication and Mass Media Complete is a database that includes articles from hundreds of journals related to communication studies. It may be acceptable for you to include magazine sources in your speech, but you should still consider the credibility of the source. Magazines like Scientific American and Time are generally more credible and reliable than sources like People or Entertainment Weekly .

Newspapers and Books

Newspapers and books can be excellent sources but must still be evaluated for relevance and credibility. Newspapers are good for topics that are developing quickly, as they are updated daily. While there are well-known newspapers of record like the New York Times , smaller local papers can also be credible and relevant if your speech topic doesn’t have national or international reach. You can access local, national, and international newspapers through electronic databases like LexisNexis. If a search result comes up that doesn’t have a byline with an author’s name or an organization like the Associated Press or Reuters cited, then it might be an editorial. Editorials may also have bylines, which make them look like traditional newspaper articles even though they are opinion based. It is important to distinguish between news articles and editorials because editorials are usually not objective and do not go through the same review process that a news story does before it’s published. It’s also important to know the background of your paper. Some newspapers are more tabloid focused or may be published by a specific interest group that has an agenda and biases. So it’s usually better to go with a newspaper that is recognized as the newspaper of record for a particular area.

Books are good for a variety of subjects and are useful for in-depth research that you can’t get as regularly from newspapers or magazines. Edited books with multiple chapters by different authors can be especially good to get a variety of perspectives on a topic.

Don’t assume that you can’t find a book relevant to a topic that is fairly recent, since books may be published within a year of a major event.

Wikimedia Commons – CC BY 2.0.

To evaluate the credibility of a book, you’ll want to know some things about the author. You can usually find this information at the front or back of the book. If an author is a credentialed and recognized expert in his or her area, the book will be more credible. But just because someone wrote a book on a subject doesn’t mean he or she is the most credible source. For example, a quick search online brings up many books related to public speaking that are written by people who have no formal training in communication or speech. While they may have public speaking experience that can help them get a book deal with a certain publisher, that alone wouldn’t qualify them to write a textbook, as textbook authors are expected to be credentialed experts—that is, people with experience and advanced training/degrees in their area. The publisher of a book can also be an indicator of credibility. Books published by university/academic presses (University of Chicago Press, Duke University Press) are considered more credible than books published by trade presses (Penguin, Random House), because they are often peer reviewed and they are not primarily profit driven.

Reference Tools

The transition to college-level research means turning more toward primary sources and away from general reference materials. Primary sources are written by people with firsthand experiences with an event or researchers/scholars who conducted original research. Unfortunately, many college students are reluctant to give up their reliance on reference tools like dictionaries and encyclopedias. While reference tools like dictionaries and encyclopedias are excellent for providing a speaker with a background on a topic, they should not be the foundation of your research unless they are academic and/or specialized.

Dictionaries are handy tools when we aren’t familiar with a particular word. However, citing a dictionary like Webster’s as a source in your speech is often unnecessary. I tell my students that Webster’s Dictionary is useful when you need to challenge a Scrabble word, but it isn’t the best source for college-level research. You will inevitably come upon a word that you don’t know while doing research. Most good authors define the terms they use within the content of their writing. In that case, it’s better to use the author’s definition than a dictionary definition. Also, citing a dictionary doesn’t show deep research skills; it only shows an understanding of alphabetical order. So ideally you would quote or paraphrase the author’s definition rather than turning to a general dictionary like Webster’s . If you must turn to a dictionary, I recommend an academic dictionary like The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) , which is the most comprehensive dictionary in the English language, with more than twenty volumes. You can’t access the OED for free online, but most libraries pay for a subscription that you can access as a student or patron. While the OED is an academic dictionary, it is not specialized, and you may need a specialized dictionary when dealing with very specific or technical terms. The Dictionary of Business and Economics is an example of an academic and specialized dictionary.

Many students have relied on encyclopedias for research in high school, but most encyclopedias, like World Book , Encarta , or Britannica , are not primary sources. Instead, they are examples of secondary sources that aggregate, or compile, research done by others in a condensed summary. As I noted earlier, reference sources like encyclopedias are excellent resources to get you informed about the basics of a topic, but at the college level, primary sources are expected. Many encyclopedias are Internet based, which makes them convenient, but they are still not primary sources, and their credibility should be even more scrutinized.

Wikipedia’s open format also means it doesn’t generally meet the expectations for credible, scholarly research.

Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 3.0.

Wikipedia revolutionized how many people retrieve information and pioneered an open-publishing format that allowed a community of people to post, edit, and debate content. While this is an important contribution to society, Wikipedia is not considered a scholarly or credible source. Like other encyclopedias, Wikipedia should not be used in college-level research, because it is not a primary source. In addition, since its content can be posted and edited by anyone, we cannot be sure of the credibility of the content. Even though there are self-appointed “experts” who monitor and edit some of the information on Wikipedia, we cannot verify their credentials or the review process that information goes through before it’s posted. I’m not one of the college professors who completely dismisses Wikipedia, however. Wikipedia can be a great source for personal research, developing news stories, or trivia. Sometimes you can access primary sources through Wikipedia if you review the footnote citations included in an entry. Moving beyond Wikipedia, as with dictionaries, there are some encyclopedias that are better suited for college research. The Encyclopedia of Black America and the Encyclopedia of Disaster Relief are examples of specialized academic reference sources that will often include, in each entry, an author’s name and credentials and more primary source information.

When conducting an interview for a speech, you should access a person who has expertise in or direct experience with your speech topic. If you follow the suggestions for choosing a topic that were mentioned earlier, you may already know something about your speech topic and may have connections to people who would be good interview subjects. Previous employers, internship supervisors, teachers, community leaders, or even relatives may be appropriate interviewees, given your topic. If you do not have a connection to someone you can interview, you can often find someone via the Internet who would be willing to answer some questions. Many informative and persuasive speech topics relate to current issues, and most current issues have organizations that represent their needs. For an informative speech on ageism or a persuasive speech on lowering the voting age, a quick Internet search for “youth rights” leads you to the webpage for the National Youth Rights Association. Like most organization web pages, you can click on the “Contact Us” link to get information for leaders in the organization. You could also connect to members of the group through Facebook and interview young people who are active in the organization.

Once you have identified a good interviewee, you will want to begin researching and preparing your questions. Open-ended questions cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no” and can provide descriptions and details that will add to your speech. Quotes and paraphrases from your interview can add a personal side to a topic or at least convey potentially complicated information in a more conversational and interpersonal way.

Even if you record an interview, take some handwritten notes and make regular eye contact with the interviewee to show that you are paying attention.

David Davies – Interviews – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Closed questions can be answered with one or two words and can provide a starting point to get to more detailed information if the interviewer has prepared follow-up questions. Unless the guidelines or occasion for your speech suggest otherwise, you should balance your interview data with the other sources in your speech. Don’t let your references to the interview take over your speech.

Tips for Conducting Interviews

• Do preliminary research to answer basic questions. Many people and organizations have information available publicly. Don’t waste interview time asking questions like “What year did your organization start?” when you can find that on the website.
• Plan questions ahead of time. Even if you know the person, treat it as a formal interview so you can be efficient.
• Ask open-ended questions that can’t be answered with only a yes or no. Questions that begin with how and why are generally more open-ended than do and did questions. Make sure you have follow-up questions ready.
• Use the interview to ask for the personal side of an issue that you may not be able to find in other resources. Personal narratives about experiences can resonate with an audience.
• Make sure you are prepared. If interviewing in person, have paper, pens, and a recording device if you’re using one. Test your recording device ahead of time. If interviewing over the phone, make sure you have good service so you don’t drop the call and that you have enough battery power on your phone. When interviewing on the phone or via video chat, make sure distractions (e.g., barking dogs) are minimized.
• Whether the interview is conducted face-to-face, over the phone, or via video (e.g., Skype), you must get permission to record. Recording can be useful, as it increases accuracy and the level of detail taken away from the interview. Most smartphones have free apps now that allow you to record face-to-face or phone conversations.
• Whether you record or not, take written notes during the interview. Aside from writing the interviewee’s responses, you can also take note of follow-up questions that come to mind or notes on the nonverbal communication of the interviewee.
• Mention ahead of time if you think you’ll have follow-up questions, so the interviewee can expect further contact.
• Reflect and expand on your notes soon after the interview. It’s impossible to transcribe everything during the interview, but you will remember much of what you didn’t have time to write down and can add it in.
• Follow up with a thank-you note. People are busy, and thanking them for their time and the information they provided will be appreciated.

We already know that utilizing library resources can help you automatically filter out content that may not be scholarly or credible, since the content in research databases is selected and restricted. However, some information may be better retrieved from websites. Even though both research databases and websites are electronic sources, there are two key differences between them that may impact their credibility. First, most of the content in research databases is or was printed but has been converted to digital formats for easier and broader access. In contrast, most of the content on websites has not been printed. Although not always the case, an exception to this is documents in PDF form found on web pages. You may want to do additional research or consult with your instructor to determine if that can count as a printed source. Second, most of the content on research databases has gone through editorial review, which means a professional editor or a peer editor has reviewed the material to make sure it is credible and worthy of publication. Most content on websites is not subjected to the same review process, as just about anyone with Internet access can self-publish information on a personal website, blog, wiki, or social media page. So what sort of information may be better retrieved from websites, and how can we evaluate the credibility of a website?

Most well-known organizations have official websites where they publish information related to their mission. If you know there is an organization related to your topic, you may want to see if they have an official website. It is almost always better to get information from an official website, because it is then more likely to be considered primary source information. Keep in mind, though, that organizations may have a bias or a political agenda that affects the information they put out. If you do get information from an official website, make sure to include that in your verbal citation to help establish your credibility. Official reports are also often best found on websites, as they rarely appear in their full form in periodicals, books, or newspapers. Government agencies, nonprofits, and other public service organizations often compose detailed and credible reports on a wide variety of topics.

The US Census Bureau’s official website is a great place to find current and credible statistics related to population numbers and demographic statistics.

U.S. Census Bureau – public domain.

A key way to evaluate the credibility of a website is to determine the site’s accountability. By accountability, I mean determining who is ultimately responsible for the content put out and whose interests the content meets. The more information that is included on a website, the better able you will be to determine its accountability. Ideally all or most of the following information would be included: organization/agency name, author’s name and contact information, date the information was posted or published, name and contact information for person in charge of web content (i.e., web editor or webmaster), and a link to information about the organization/agency/business mission. While all this information doesn’t have to be present to warrant the use of the material, the less accountability information is available, the more you should scrutinize the information. You can also begin to judge the credibility of a website by its domain name. Some common domain names are .com , .net , .org , .edu , .mil , and .gov . For each type of domain, there are questions you may ask that will help you evaluate the site’s credibility. You can see a summary of these questions in Table 9.2 “Website Domain Names and Credibility” . Note that some domain names are marked as “restricted” and others aren’t. When a domain is restricted, .mil for example, a person or group wanting to register that domain name has to prove that their content is appropriate for the guidelines of the domain name. Essentially, this limits access to the information published on those domain names, which increases the overall credibility.

Table 9.2 Website Domain Names and Credibility

Types of Supporting Material

There are several types of supporting material that you can pull from the sources you find during the research process to add to your speech. They include examples, explanations, statistics, analogies, testimony, and visual aids. You will want to have a balance of information, and you will want to include the material that is most relevant to your audience and is most likely to engage them. When determining relevance, utilize some of the strategies mentioned in Section 9.1 “Selecting and Narrowing a Topic” . Thinking about who your audience is and what they know and would like to know will help you tailor your information. Also try to incorporate proxemic information , meaning information that is geographically relevant to your audience. For example, if delivering a speech about prison reform to an audience made up of Californians, citing statistics from North Carolina prisons would not be as proxemic as citing information from California prisons. The closer you can get the information to the audience, the better. I tell my students to make the information so relevant and proxemic that it is in our backyards, in the car with us on the way to school or work, and in the bed with us while we sleep.

An example is a cited case that is representative of a larger whole. Examples are especially beneficial when presenting information that an audience may not be familiar with. They are also useful for repackaging or reviewing information that has already been presented. Examples can be used in many different ways, so you should let your audience, purpose and thesis, and research materials guide your use. You may pull examples directly from your research materials, making sure to cite the source. The following is an example used in a speech about the negative effects of standardized testing: “Standardized testing makes many students anxious, and even ill. On March 14, 2002, the Sacramento Bee reported that some standardized tests now come with instructions indicating what teachers should do with a test booklet if a student throws up on it.” You may also cite examples from your personal experience, if appropriate: “I remember being sick to my stomach while waiting for my SAT to begin.”

You may also use hypothetical examples, which can be useful when you need to provide an example that is extraordinary or goes beyond most people’s direct experience. Capitalize on this opportunity by incorporating vivid description into the example that appeals to the audience’s senses. Always make sure to indicate when you are using a hypothetical example, as it would be unethical to present an example as real when it is not. Including the word imagine or something similar in the first sentence of the example can easily do this.

Whether real or hypothetical, examples used as supporting material can be brief or extended. Brief examples are usually one or two sentences, as you can see in the following hypothetical example: “Imagine that your child, little sister, or nephew has earned good grades for the past few years of elementary school, loves art class, and also plays on the soccer team. You hear the unmistakable sounds of crying when he or she comes home from school and you find out that art and soccer have been eliminated because students did not meet the federal guidelines for performance on standardized tests.” Brief examples are useful when the audience is already familiar with a concept or during a review. Extended examples, sometimes called illustrations, are several sentences long and can be effective in introductions or conclusions to get the audience’s attention or leave a lasting impression. It is important to think about relevance and time limits when considering using an extended illustration. Since most speeches are given within time constraints, you want to make sure the extended illustration is relevant to your speech purpose and thesis and that it doesn’t take up a disproportionate amount of the speech. If a brief example or series of brief examples would convey the same content and create the same tone as the extended example, I suggest you go with brevity.

Explanations

Explanations clarify ideas by providing information about what something is, why something is the way it is, or how something works or came to be. One of the most common types of explanation is a definition. Definitions do not have to come from the dictionary. Many times, authors will define concepts as they use them in their writing, which is a good alternative to a dictionary definition.

Since quoting a dictionary definition during a speech is difficult, it’s better to put a definition into your own words based on how it is defined in the original source in which it appeared.

Julian Bucknall – Dictionaries – CC BY-NC 2.0.

As you do your research, think about how much your audience likely knows about a given subject. You do not need to provide definitions when information is common knowledge. Anticipate audience confusion and define legal, medical, or other forms of jargon as well as slang and foreign words. Definitions like the following are also useful for words that we are familiar with but may not know specifics: “According to the 2011 book Prohibition: 13 Years That Changed America , what we now know as Prohibition started in 1920 with the passage of the Volstead Act and the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment.” Keep in mind that repeating a definition verbatim from a dictionary often leads to fluency hiccups, because definitions are not written to be read aloud. It’s a good idea to put the definition into your own words (still remembering to cite the original source) to make it easier for you to deliver.

Other explanations focus on the “why” and “how” of a concept. Continuing to inform about Prohibition, a speaker could explain why the movement toward Prohibition began: “The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution gained support because of the strong political influence of the Anti-Saloon League.” The speaker could go on to explain how the Constitution is amended: “According to the same book, a proposed amendment to the Constitution needs three-fourths of all the states to approve it in order to be ratified.” We use explanations as verbal clarifications to support our claims in daily conversations, perhaps without even noticing it. Consciously incorporating clear explanations into your speech can help you achieve your speech goals.

Statistics are numerical representations of information. They are very credible in our society, as evidenced by their frequent use by news agencies, government offices, politicians, and academics. As a speaker, you can capitalize on the power of statistics if you use them appropriately. Unfortunately, statistics are often misused by speakers who intentionally or unintentionally misconstrue the numbers to support their argument without examining the context from which the statistic emerged. All statistics are contextual, so plucking a number out of a news article or a research study and including it in your speech without taking the time to understand the statistic is unethical.

Although statistics are popular as supporting evidence, they can also be boring. There will inevitably be people in your audience who are not good at processing numbers. Even people who are good with numbers have difficulty processing through a series of statistics presented orally. Remember that we have to adapt our information to listeners who don’t have the luxury of pressing a pause or rewind button. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to avoid using too many statistics and to use startling examples when you do use them. Startling statistics should defy our expectations. When you give the audience a large number that they would expect to be smaller, or vice versa, you will be more likely to engage them, as the following example shows: “Did you know that 1.3 billion people in the world do not have access to electricity? That’s about 20 percent of the world’s population according to a 2009 study on the International Energy Agency’s official website.”

You should also repeat key statistics at least once for emphasis. In the previous example, the first time we hear the statistic 1.3 billion, we don’t have any context for the number. Translating that number into a percentage in the next sentence repeats the key statistic, which the audience now has context for, and repackages the information into a percentage, which some people may better understand. You should also round long numbers up or down to make them easier to speak. Make sure that rounding the number doesn’t distort its significance. Rounding 1,298,791,943 to 1.3 billion, for example, makes the statistic more manageable and doesn’t alter the basic meaning. It is also beneficial to translate numbers into something more concrete for visual or experiential learners by saying, for example, “That’s equal to the population of four Unites States of Americas.” While it may seem easy to throw some numbers in your speech to add to your credibility, it takes more work to make them impactful, memorable, and effective.

Tips for Using Statistics

• Make sure you understand the context from which a statistic emerges.
• Don’t overuse statistics.
• Use startling statistics that defy the audience’s expectations.
• Repeat key statistics at least once for emphasis.
• Use a variety of numerical representations (whole numbers, percentages, ratios) to convey information.
• Round long numbers to make them easier to speak.
• Translate numbers into concrete ideas for more impact.

Analogies involve a comparison of ideas, items, or circumstances. When you compare two things that actually exist, you are using a literal analogy—for example, “Germany and Sweden are both European countries that have had nationalized health care for decades.” Another type of literal comparison is a historical analogy. In Mary Fisher’s now famous 1992 speech to the Republican National Convention, she compared the silence of many US political leaders regarding the HIV/AIDS crisis to that of many European leaders in the years before the Holocaust.

My father has devoted much of his lifetime to guarding against another holocaust. He is part of the generation who heard Pastor Niemöller come out of the Nazi death camps to say, “They came after the Jews and I was not a Jew, so I did not protest. They came after the Trade Unionists, and I was not a Trade Unionist, so I did not protest. They came after the Roman Catholics, and I was not a Roman Catholic, so I did not protest. Then they came after me, and there was no one left to protest.” The lesson history teaches is this: If you believe you are safe, you are at risk.

A figurative analogy compares things that are not normally related, often relying on metaphor, simile, or other figurative language devices. In the following example, wind and revolution are compared: “Just as the wind brings changes in the weather, so does revolution bring change to countries.”

When you compare differences, you are highlighting contrast—for example, “Although the United States is often thought of as the most medically advanced country in the world, other Western countries with nationalized health care have lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancies.” To use analogies effectively and ethically, you must choose ideas, items, or circumstances to compare that are similar enough to warrant the analogy. The more similar the two things you’re comparing, the stronger your support. If an entire speech on nationalized health care was based on comparing the United States and Sweden, then the analogy isn’t too strong, since Sweden has approximately the same population as the state of North Carolina. Using the analogy without noting this large difference would be misrepresenting your supporting material. You could disclose the discrepancy and use other forms of supporting evidence to show that despite the population difference the two countries are similar in other areas to strengthen your speech.

Testimony is quoted information from people with direct knowledge about a subject or situation. Expert testimony is from people who are credentialed or recognized experts in a given subject. Lay testimony is often a recounting of a person’s experiences, which is more subjective. Both types of testimony are valuable as supporting material. We can see this in the testimonies of people in courtrooms and other types of hearings. Lawyers know that juries want to hear testimony from experts, eyewitnesses, and friends and family. Congressional hearings are similar.

Congressional hearings often draw on expert and lay testimony to provide a detailed understanding of an event or issue.

Wikimedia Commons – public domain.

When Toyota cars were malfunctioning and being recalled in 2010, mechanics and engineers were called to testify about the technical specifications of the car (expert testimony), and car drivers like the soccer mom who recounted the brakes on her Prius suddenly failing while she was driving her kids to practice were also called (lay testimony). When using testimony, make sure you indicate whether it is expert or lay by sharing with the audience the context of the quote. Share the credentials of experts (education background, job title, years of experience, etc.) to add to your credibility or give some personal context for the lay testimony (eyewitness, personal knowledge, etc.).

“Getting Competent”

Choosing the Right Supporting Material

As you sift through your research materials to find supporting material to incorporate into your speech, you will want to include a variety of information types. Choosing supporting material that is relevant to your audience will help make your speech more engaging. As was noted earlier, a speaker should consider the audience throughout the speech-making process. Imagine you were asked to deliver a speech about your college or university. To get some practice adapting supporting material to various audiences, provide an example of each type of supporting material that is tailored to the following specific audiences. Include an example, an explanation, a statistic, an analogy, some testimony, and a visual aid.

• Incoming first-year students
• Parents of incoming first-year students
• Alumni of the college or university
• Community members that live close to the school

Visual Aids

Visual aids help a speaker reinforce speech content visually, which helps amplify the speaker’s message. They can be used to present any of the types of supporting materials discussed previously. Speakers rely heavily on an audience’s ability to learn by listening, which may not always be successful if audience members are visual or experiential learners. Even if audience members are good listeners, information overload or external or internal noise can be barriers to a speaker achieving his or her speech goals. Therefore skillfully incorporating visual aids into a speech has many potential benefits:

• Helping your audience remember information because it is presented orally and visually
• Helping your audience understand information because it is made more digestible through diagrams, charts, and so on
• Helping your audience see something in action by demonstrating with an object, showing a video, and so on
• Engaging your audience by making your delivery more dynamic through demonstration, gesturing, and so on

There are several types of visual aids, and each has its strengths in terms of the type of information it lends itself to presenting. The types of visual aids we will discuss are objects; chalkboards, whiteboards, and flip charts; posters and handouts; pictures; diagrams; charts; graphs; videos; and presentation software. It’s important to remember that supporting materials presented on visual aids should be properly cited. We will discuss proper incorporation of supporting materials into a speech in Section 9.3 “Organizing” . While visual aids can help bring your supporting material to life, they can also add more opportunities for things to go wrong during your speech. Therefore we’ll discuss some tips for effective creation and delivery as we discuss the various types of visual aids.

Three-dimensional objects that represent an idea can be useful as a visual aid for a speech. They offer the audience a direct, concrete way to understand what you are saying. I often have my students do an introductory speech where they bring in three objects that represent their past, present, and future. Students have brought in a drawer from a chest that they were small enough to sleep in as a baby, a package of Ramen noodles to represent their life as a college student, and a stethoscope or other object to represent their career goals, among other things. Models also fall into this category, as they are scaled versions of objects that may be too big (the International Space Station) or too small (a molecule) to actually show to your audience.

Tips for Using Objects Effectively

• Make sure your objects are large enough for the audience to see.
• Do not pass objects around, as it will be distracting.
• Hold your objects up long enough for the audience to see them.
• Do not talk to your object, wiggle or wave it around, tap on it, or obstruct the audience’s view of your face with it.
• Practice with your objects so your delivery will be fluent and there won’t be any surprises.

Chalkboards, Whiteboards, and Flip Charts

Chalkboards, whiteboards, and flip charts can be useful for interactive speeches. If you are polling the audience or brainstorming you can write down audience responses easily for everyone to see and for later reference. They can also be helpful for unexpected clarification. If audience members look confused, you can take a moment to expand on a point or concept using the board or flip chart. Since many people are uncomfortable writing on these things due to handwriting or spelling issues, it’s good to anticipate things that you may have to expand on and have prepared extra visual aids or slides that you can include if needed. You can also have audience members write things on boards or flip charts themselves, which helps get them engaged and takes some of the pressure off you as a speaker.

Posters and Handouts

Posters generally include text and graphics and often summarize an entire presentation or select main points. Posters are frequently used to present original research, as they can be broken down into the various steps to show how a process worked. Posters can be useful if you are going to have audience members circulating around the room before or after your presentation, so they can take the time to review the poster and ask questions. Posters are not often good visual aids during a speech, because it’s difficult to make the text and graphics large enough for a room full of people to adequately see. The best posters are those created using computer software and professionally printed on large laminated paper.

Printing/copying businesses are now good at helping produce professional-looking posters. Although they can be costly, they add to the speaker’s credibility.

University of Fraser Valley – UFV – Student Research Day – CC BY 2.0.

These professional posters come at a price, often costing between forty and sixty dollars. If you opt to make your own poster, take care to make it look professional. Use a computer and printer to print out your text; do not handwrite on a poster. Make sure anything you cut by hand has neat, uniform edges. You can then affix the text, photos, and any accent backing to the poster board. Double-sided tape works well for this, as it doesn’t leave humps like those left by rolled tape or the bubbles, smearing, or sticky mess left by glue.

Handouts can be a useful alternative to posters. Think of them as miniposters that audience members can reference and take with them. Audience members will likely appreciate a handout that is limited to one page, is neatly laid out, and includes the speaker’s contact information. It can be appropriate to give handouts to an audience before a long presentation where note taking is expected, complicated information is presented, or the audience will be tested on or have to respond to the information presented. In most regular speeches less than fifteen minutes long, it would not be wise to distribute handouts ahead of time, as they will distract the audience from the speaker. It’s better to distribute the handouts after your speech or at the end of the program if there are others speaking after you.

Photographs, paintings, drawings, and sketches fall into the pictures category of visual aids. Pictures can be useful when you need to show an exact replication of what you’re speaking about. Pictures can also connect to your audience on a personal level, especially if they evoke audience emotions. Think about the use of pictures in television commercials asking for donations or sponsorships. Organizations like Save the Children and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals successfully use pictures of malnourished children or abused animals to pull at the heartstrings of viewers. A series of well-chosen and themed pictures can have a meaningful impact on an audience. Although some pictures can be effectively presented when printed out on standard 8 1/2″ x 11″ printer paper using a black and white printer, others will need to be enlarged and/or printed in color, which will cost some money. You can often avoid this by incorporating a picture into a PowerPoint presentation, as the picture will be projected large enough for people to see. We will discuss PowerPoint in more detail later.

Diagrams and Drawings

Diagrams are good for showing the inner workings of an object or pointing out the most important or relevant parts of something. Think about diagrams as blueprints that show the inside of something—for example, key bones in the human body in a speech about common skateboarding injuries. Diagrams are good alternatives to pictures when you only need to point out certain things that may be difficult to see in a photograph.

You may even be able to draw a simple diagram yourself if you find it would be useful during your speech. Although not all maps are simple enough to be created by the speaker, many maps can be hand drawn during a speech or ahead of time to indicate different locations or patterns. While I would recommend that you anticipate this ahead of time so you can incorporate a more professional version of the diagram created with computer software or more precise drawing, drawing a diagram on an overhead projector, whiteboard, or smart board can be useful.

Charts and Tables

Charts and tables are useful for compiling and cross-referencing larger amounts of information. The combination of rows and columns allows you to create headers and then divide them up into units, categories, dates, and so on. Medical information is put into charts so that periods of recorded information, such as vital signs, can be updated and scanned by doctors and nurses. Charts and tables are also good for combining text and numbers, and they are easy to make with word processing software like Microsoft Word or spreadsheet software like Excel. Think of presenting your department’s budget and spending at the end of a business quarter. You could have headers in the columns with the various categories and itemized deductions in the rows ending with a final total for each column.

A pie chart is an alternative representation of textual and numerical data that offers audience members a visual representation of the relative proportions of a whole. In a pie chart, each piece of the pie corresponds to a percentage of the whole, and the size of the pie varies with the size of the percentage. As with other charts and tables, most office software programs now easily make pie charts.

Graphs are representations that point out numerical relationships or trends and include line graphs and bar graphs. Line graphs are useful for showing trends over time. For example, you could track the rising cost of tuition for colleges and universities in a persuasive speech about the need for more merit-based financial aid.

Bar graphs are good for comparing amounts. In the same speech, you could compare the tuition of two-year institutions to that of four-year institutions. Graphs help make numerical data more digestible for your audience and allow you to convey an important numerical trend visually and quickly without having to go into lengthy explanations. Remember to always clearly label your x -axis and y -axis and to explain the basics of your graph to your audience before you go into the specific data. If you use a graph that was created by someone else, make sure it is large and clear enough for the audience to read and that you cite the original source.

National Center for Education Statistics .

Video clips as visual aids can be powerful and engaging for an audience, but they can also be troublesome for speakers. Whether embedded in a PowerPoint presentation, accessed through YouTube, or played from a laptop or DVD player, video clips are notorious for tripping up speakers. They require more than one piece of electronics when they are hooked to a projector and speaker and sometimes also require an Internet connection. The more electronic connection points, the more chances for something to go wrong. Therefore it is very important to test your technology before your speech, have a backup method of delivery if possible, and be prepared to go on without the video if all else fails. Although sometimes tempting, you should not let the video take over your speech. I recommend that my students not have more than 10 percent of their speech be filled with video, meaning there should be no more than one minute of video in a ten-minute speech. Make sure your video is relevant and that it is cued to where it needs to be. One useful strategy for incorporating video is to play a video without audio and speak along with the video, acting as a narrator. This allows the speaker to have more control over the visual aid and to adapt it and make it more relevant to a specific topic and audience. Additionally, video editing software like Final Cut and iMovie are readily available to college students and relatively easy to use. Some simple editing to cut together various clips that are meaningful or adding an introductory title or transitions can go a long way toward making your video look professional.

Presentation Software

The prevalence of computers and projectors in most schools, offices, and other presentation facilities has made using computer-generated visual aids more convenient. PowerPoint is the most commonly used presentation software and has functionality ranging from the most simple text-based slide to complicated transitions, timing features, video/sound imbedding, and even functionality with audience response systems like Turning Point that allow data to be collected live from audience members and incorporated quickly into the slideshow. Despite the fact that most college students have viewed and created numerous PowerPoint presentations, I have still seen many poorly executed slideshows that detracted from the speaker’s message. PowerPoint should be viewed as a speech amplifier. Like an amplifier for a guitar, it doesn’t do much without a musician there to play the instrument. The speaker is the musician, the speech is the instrument, and PowerPoint is the amplifier. Just as the amplifier doesn’t dictate what the guitar player does, neither should PowerPoint take over the speaker.

I like to distinguish between using PowerPoint as a presentation aid and as a visual aid. PowerPoint, with all its bells and whistles, is designed as a presentation aid. Presentations are generally longer than speeches, at least fifteen minutes long, and are content heavy. College lectures and many professional conference presentations fall into this category. In these cases, PowerPoint generally runs along with the speaker throughout the presentation, reviewing key points and presenting visual aids such as pictures and graphs. The constant running of the slideshow also facilitates audience note taking, which is also common during presentations.

Speeches, on the other hand, are usually fifteen minutes or less, have repetition and redundancy built in (as they are adapted to a listening audience), and carry less expectation that the audience will take detailed notes. In this case, I believe PowerPoint should be used more as a visual aid, meaning that it should be simpler and amplify particular components of the speech rather than run along with the speaker throughout the speech.

Tips for Using PowerPoint as a Visual Aid

• Do not have more than two slides per main point.
• Use a consistent theme with limited variation in font style and font size.
• Incorporate text and relevant graphics into each slide.
• Limit content to no more than six lines of text or six bullet points per slide.
• Do not use complete sentences; be concise.
• Avoid unnecessary animation or distracting slide transitions.
• Only have a slide displayed when it is relevant to what you’re discussing. Insert completely black slides to display when you are not explicitly referencing content in the speech so the audience doesn’t get distracted.

“Getting Plugged In”

Alternatives to PowerPoint

Although PowerPoint is the most frequently used presentation software, there are alternatives that can also be engaging and effective if the speaker is willing to invest the time in learning something new. Keynote is Apple’s alternative to Microsoft’s PowerPoint and offers some themes and style choices that can set your presentation apart from the familiar look of PowerPoint. Keep in mind that you will need to make sure you have access to Mac-compatible presentation tools, since Keynote won’t run or open on most PCs. Prezi is a new web-based presentation tool that uses Flash animation, zooming, and motion to make a very different-looking computer-generated visual aid. If you have the time to play with Prezi and create a visual aid for your presentation, you will stand out. You can see Prezi in action in Note 9.31 “Video Clip 9.1” . You can also see sample presentations on Prezi’s website: http://prezi.com/explore .

• What are some positives and negatives of using PowerPoint as a visual aid?
• What are some other alternatives to using PowerPoint as a visual aid? Why?

Video Clip 9.1

James Geary, Metaphorically Speaking

(click to see video)

In this video, James Geary presents on metaphor using Prezi as his visual aid.

Key Takeaways

• Library resources like databases and reference librarians are more suitable for college-level research than general search engines.
• Research sources include periodicals, newspapers and books, reference tools, interviews, and websites. The credibility of each type of supporting material should be evaluated.
• Speakers should include a variety of supporting material from their research sources in their speeches. The types of supporting material include examples, explanations, statistics, analogies, testimony, and visual aids.
• Visual aids help a speaker reinforce their content visually and have many potential benefits. Visual aids can also detract from a speech if not used properly. Visual aids include objects; chalkboards, whiteboards, and flip charts; posters and handouts; pictures; diagrams; charts; graphs; video; and presentation software.
• Getting integrated: Identify some ways that research skills are helpful in each of the following contexts: academic, professional, personal, and civic.
• Go to the library webpage for your school. What are some resources that will be helpful for your research? Identify at least two library databases and at least one reference librarian. If you need help with research, what resources are available?
• What are some websites that you think are credible for doing college-level research? Why? What are some website that are not credible? Why?

Communication in the Real World Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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VP Kamala Harris caps off Coastal Georgia bus tour with rally and enthusiastic crowd

Savannah's Enmarket Arena was a sea of red, white and blue, with sprinkles of pink and green Thursday evening.

In what has been the first major presidential candidate visit to Savannah since the 1980s, Vice President Kamala Harris capped off a bus tour of Savannah and surrounding areas with a near-capacity rally.

Harris delivered a speech that largely followed her typical rally topics ― creating an "opportunity economy," attacking Project 2025 and advocating for reproductive rights ― to a crowd of more than 5,000 attendees, based on seats filled. As the speech neared its end, Harris acknowledged Georgia's major role in recent Democratic party successes: sending Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock to the Senate and President Joe Biden to the White House.

"You did that, and now we are asking you to do it again," Harris said to a rush of applause.

The afternoon at Enmarket included numerous members of Chatham County's top Democratic brass. State Sen. Derrick Mallow, former mayor and State Rep. Edna Jackson and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson all gave speeches before Harris' appearance.

Harris was introduced by Savannah State University Student Government President Katelyn Green, and there was a strong contingent of SSU students and alumni in the crowd. Green, when making the introduction, drew on Harris' HBCU connection.

"As a student and a Georgian, Vice President Harris' promise for our future fills me with hope and joy," Green said.

Harris's two days in Southeast Georgia, where she was joined by running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz up to the rally, came on the heels of the Democratic National Convention. Harris's campaign has thrust Georgia back into battleground status, where she has closed opponent Donald Trump's polling lead in recent months, according to New York Times averages of the state's polls .

The campaign stop also marks Harris' second trip to Savannah this year. Harris held a reproductive rights rally in the Savannah Civic Center in February. Local Democratic leaders have pointed to the visits as a sign of Chatham County's importance in November's election .

But Harris kicked off her speech warning the crowd not to pay attention to polls, then recast a line used in past speeches dubbing her campaign the "underdogs in the race." Still, Thursday's crowd was highly energized; there were at least two occasions where crowd-led chants caused Harris to pause her speech as they rang out.

"The future is always worth fighting for, and that is what we are in right now, a fight for America's future," Harris said.

Harris also hit on numerous policies throughout the 20-minute remarks: a $6,000 tax credit for families in their first year of having a child, signing a law guaranteeing a right to an abortion. signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and tackling the country's housing supply shortage.

There were a few moments where protestors, who appeared to be pro-Palestinian advocates, drew the attention of Harris and attendees. A reporter at the event saw at least three protestors escorted out of the stands. At one point, Harris acknowledged their right to "have a voice," before saying she and Biden were working to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.

While Harris' speech did not heavily reference policy passed by the Biden Administration, local leaders touted Biden's presidency as a benefit to the region. Johnson specifically referenced investments in the Port of Savannah, investments in "roads from Macon to Savannah," and efforts to build up the middle class.

"She knows us, she understands us, and she gets us," Johnson said.

Johnson's remarks, which received one of the strongest crowd receptions for any speaker besides Harris, rounded out with a call to action.

Coastal residents needed to "hit the streets," by knocking on doors and encouraging friends and family to vote, Johnson said.

"We're having a great time here in Savannah, but none of this means anything if we don't show up and we don't show out at the polls in November," Johnson said before leading the crowd in a "when we fight, we win" chant.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at [email protected].

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

243 Easy and Simple Speech Topics

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

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

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

In this article:

Family, Friends, Relationships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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8 thoughts on “243 Easy and Simple Speech Topics”

which topic is best topic in the world?

Thanks a lot It helped me in debate competition

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

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

Thanks a lot it’s helpful

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

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

My school has the best topics from this website UWU

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