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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics
509 Informative Speech Ideas and 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.
How to Choose the Right Informative Topic
Half the battle of presenting a speech or writing an essay is choosing the right topic. Choosing a good informative speech topic or informative essay topic can keep your audience entertained, your reader interested, and your own work process more enjoyable. Here are a few tips to help you choose a topic:
Know your audience or reader: Your informative presentation – whether through speech or essay – should cover a subject not already well known to your audience, but still relevant to them. If you do choose a topic they’re familiar with, then present new and exciting information. Consider the age, knowledge level, and interests of your audience when preparing your informational speech or essay.
Consider your own interests: Think of your own passions and areas of expertise that you think people could benefit from learning more about. Choosing a topic you care about will help your speech or essay be better received. Your passion will keep them engaged and curious to learn more.
Consider length requirements : How much time are you allotted for your informative speech? What is the page requirement for your informative essay? You should be able to thoroughly cover the topic in the amount of time you are given. If you don’t think you have enough knowledge or personal interest to talk about illegal drug use among teens, saving money as a college student, or another informative topic for 20 minutes, you may need to consider a different subject.
The good news is that there are countless options available. Below are lists of informative topics for speeches and essays. Remember that, in order to choose the best informative topic for you, you need to consider your audience, your interests, and your time and length requirements. Then, customize the central idea to suit your situation.
Best 10 Informative Speech Topics
Don’t have time to read our full list of 500+ topic ideas? Here is our list of 10 best informative speech topics.
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- How to adopt a dog
- The history of motorcycles
- The best sales tactics
- The differences between male and female communication
- America’s fastest growing cities
- The importance of education for the economy
- Different stages of poverty
- How to cook vegetarian
- How to keep your skin looking young and wrinkle free
- The different types of poetry
List of Informative Speech Topics
- Communication
- Current Events
- Environment
- Food and Drink
- International Relations
- National Security
Relationships
- Supernatural
- Demonstration
- Easy / Simple
- Interesting
- Legislation
- Pop Culture
10 Animal Informative Speech Topics
- The role of cats throughout history.
- Caring for hermit crabs.
- What are the best pets?
- The lives of ants.
- The different types of tropical fish.
- The different exotic breeds of cats.
- How to raise rabbits.
- The beauty of wolves.
- How to adopt a dog.
- Raising pet snakes.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics About Animals .
10 Automotive Informative Speech Topics
- Is it better to buy or lease a car?
- How to choose the right tires for your car.
- How to make your car run better.
- What to look for in a new car.
- How to change your car’s oil.
- Dirt bike riding safety tips.
- How to drive a stick shift.
- The history of motorcycles.
- How to change a flat tire.
- The best muscle cars.
14 Business Informative Speech Topics
- Taking your brand to the next level with three easy steps: promoting, advertising and marketing.
- How business owners’ personal characteristics impact their business.
- What is the impact of training and development on employee job performance?
- Leadership styles and their effects on employee productivity.
- Engaged employees result in high retention.
- Developing personal power in an organization.
- Impacts of incentives on employee performance.
- Psychological tactics in marketing.
- How to create a successful brand.
- The importance of accounting research.
- The benefits of enterprise resource planning.
- The benefits of multilevel marketing.
- The best sales tactics.
- How to nail the negotiation in your first meeting.
See this page for a full list of Informative Speech Topics for Business .
8 Communication Informative Speech Topics
- How deaf people talk with emotion.
- The differences between male and female communication.
- How to be a persuasive speaker.
- How to improve your conversation skills.
- Some simple conversation tips.
- What is neural linguistic programming (NLP)?
- Why smiles are contagious.
- How to manage communicative disorders.
4 Current Events Informative Speech Topics
- America’s fastest growing cities.
- The Occupy Wall Street movement.
- Poverty in New York City.
- What is the national happiness rate?
6 Economy Informative Speech Topics
- The history of taxes on carbon dioxide emissions.
- What would be the impact on economic growth if everyone produced their own food?
- The impact of progressive taxation on the provision of social services.
- Economic growth of the People’s Republic of China.
- The effects of price and demand of agricultural products.
- The importance of education for the economy.
10 Education Informative Speech Topics
- How EFL teachers can use the internet as a classroom aid.
- Should teachers and students be friends on social networks?
- Why is our education system only based on theory and not practical knowledge?
- Should students be permitted to eat during classes?
- The importance of formal education for building a successful career.
- The pros and cons of teaching students three languages in school.
- What materials work best in a sandbag for blocking floodwaters?
- Hypnosis: its misconceptions and common uses.
- Learning disabilities and their effects on learning in college.
- Are test scores a good indication of a school’s competency?
See this page for a full list of Informative Persuasive Speech Topics .
10 Environment Informative Speech Topics
- Should politicians bring more pollution to our country?
- What would happen if finite resources were not used wisely?
- Four main reasons for generating genetically modified crops.
- The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on maize.
- Are we going to lose the rainforest?
- The best ways to protect the environment.
- Commercial crops and their effect on the water table.
- The environmental impact of a meat based diet.
- Recycling helps mitigate the greenhouse effect.
- Why we should stop global warming.
See this page for a full list of Environmental Informative Speech Topics .
3 Ethics Informative Speech Topics
- Is it sometimes better to tell a lie than to tell the truth?
- Is tolerance the same as love?
- Is hunting morally acceptable?
10 Family Informative Speech Topics
- Adopted children should always have the option to see their biological parents.
- The impact of single parenting and its effects on children.
- The appropriate penalties for parental negligence.
- What it is like being the youngest of a family of 19 kids.
- The importance of the parent-child relationship.
- My father is my hero.
- How to pick a name for your children.
- Cases of domestic violence against men.
- The importance of family.
- The history of foster care.
See this page for a full list of Family Informative Speech Topics . We also have a page with Speech Topics for Kids .
18 Financial Informative Speech Topics
- How banks are getting paid twice for your mortgage.
- How to save money in college.
- How to build credit.
- How to save money on your income taxes.
- How to apply for a credit card.
- The basics of financial aid.
- The importance of saving money.
- How to recognize stock market trends.
- The process of buying a house.
- The basics of internet banking safety.
- The best investment strategies.
- How to live on $5 a day/ Eating well on $5 a day.
- Tips on how do deal with money problems.
- The history of our currency.
- How the US Dollar affects the Euro.
- Debt relief programs.
- Does China have a serious stock market?
9 Food and Drink Informative Speech Topics
- The difference between Gatorade and Powerade.
- How to cook a delicious dinner.
- How to grow your own food.
- The different types of coffee.
- How to cook vegetarian.
- How to make a cocktail.
- The best types of cheese.
- The best exotic fruits.
- How to make Chinese food.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topic Ideas On Food, Drink, and Cooking .
11 Fun Informative Speech Topics
- The history of Valentine’s Day, the celebrations in different cultures.
- Some laugh, but there are many courageous people who overcome stuttering.
- Funny Saint Patricks Day parades, pub decorating, Irish fun runs.
- Differences between apes and monkeys, monkeys in space programs, how they live in groups in the zoo.
- Your hand: what your signature, handwriting and your hand palm lines say about your character.
- Amphibian vehicles – search for information about those rare car-boat vehicles, and you have lots of fun informative speech topics to talk about!
- Cartoons in relation to our Freedom of Speech and Expression principles.
- Show the listeners to your public speaking speech some flags of unknown countries, ask them what nation you mean and explain colors and symbols.
- The extraterrestrial life stories and future theories from French author Jules Verne.
- Etiquette and manners, how to cope with special situations, how to behave at official ceremonies you see enough public speaking speeches spicing humor.
- Fashion styles and dress codes at parties and ceremonies.
See this page for a full list of Fun Informative Speech Topics .
5 Geography Informative Speech Topics
- The antipodes – Places on Earth which are diametrically opposite to each other.
- Cartography – How terrestrial globe spheres are crafted.
- Climatology – Patterns in climate change, like rising temperatures and flooding.
- Coasts – Types of coasts, deltas, sea cliffs and beaches.
- What does the continental drift theory mean in vulcanology?
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics On Geography .
9 Government Informative Speech Topics
- The role of accounting in the control of public expenditures in Nigeria.
- What factors affect community participation in public meetings?
- How difficult is it to run a country of 1.2 billion people?
- Speeding cameras are meant to provide government money.
- Should the President be paid while being in office?
- The Federal government’s separation of powers.
- Journalism is our weapon against corruption.
- How a bill passes in state government.
- The best city planning practices.
10 Health Informative Speech Topics
- Steroids, antibiotics, sprays: are these things hurting us?
- The effects of dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder.
- Bigger isn’t always better: the effect fast food has on America.
- The importance of proper stretching before a workout.
- How to keep your skin looking young and wrinkle free.
- The different types of insomnia.
- The causes and effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
- The psychosocial aspects of organ transplantation.
- Controversial ideas about whooping cough vaccines.
- The reasons why stress and depression should be taken seriously.
See this page for a full list of Informative Speech Topics on Health and Fitness . We also have a page with Medical Topics and Psychology topics.
10 History Informative Speech Topics
- The beauty of ancient Egyptian art.
- The most beautiful paintings in history.
- The history of fashion.
- The history of high heels.
- The history of cosmetic makeup.
- The history of Tibetan burial practices.
- What Olympic events did ancient Greece have?
- The history of swear words and their impact on society.
- Words and their meanings that have changed with time.
- Why dragons perform in Chinese New Year celebrations.
See this page for a full list of History Speech Topics .
16 International Relations Informative Speech Topics
- Economic development and the role of the private sector in reducing poverty in Lesotho.
- Tourism and remittances are the solutions for Tonga’s economic growth.
- The military of the Philippines.
- Is South Africa ready for a female president?
- Can democracy bring stability to Pakistan?
- South Africa is an amazing country.
- The impact of U.S drone strikes.
- The discovery of oil in Equatorial Guinea.
- How to help refugees.
- Why everyone should live in China.
- The status of trade relations in East Africa.
- The effects of the Dowry system in India.
- Sri Lanka after thirty years of war.
- Why Africa is underdeveloped.
- The political system of India.
- The purpose of the United Nations.
2 Language Informative Speech Topics
- English is a link language for many parts of the world.
- The origins of cliches.
6 Literature Informative Speech Topics
- Inside the mind of Edgar Allen Poe.
- How to write a book.
- The three trials of Oscar Wilde.
- The meaning of The House on Mango Street.
- The history of vampires in literature.
- The different types of poetry.
21 Media Informative Speech Topics
- What steps are involved in creating a movie or television show?
- How Spotify hurts new artists.
- The benefits of watching less TV.
- How the media has hurt our body image.
- Books that were turned into terrible movies.
- The benefits of reading a newspaper.
- The basics of photography.
- The history of the Titanic movie.
- Some famous advertising campaigns.
- The effects of misleading advertisements.
- Some important women in the media.
- The best foreign TV shows.
- The benefits of satellite radio.
- The best TV sitcoms.
- Al Jazeera, the largest Arabic news channel is the Middle East.
- How Disney produces and distributes short animated films.
- The amazing stage performance of Christina Aguilera.
- The love life of Jennifer Aniston,
- The story of CNN International reporter, Christiane Amanpour.
- The ten actors who played James Bond.
- Top three worst Woody Allen movies.
9 Music Informative Speech Topics
- The different types of marching bands.
- The history of french horns.
- The history of house music.
- The evolution of rock and roll.
- The beauty of reggae music.
- Music as a “lifestyle”.
- The best electronic dance music.
- How to play the kazoo.
- The beauty of Haitian music.
4 National Security Informative Speech Topics
- How illegal things are smuggled into the country.
- The United States military branches.
- The importance of the Air Force.
- The branches of the military.
10 Politics Informative Speech Topics
- Should the U.S. restrict immigration?
- The benefits of communism.
- The most important women in politics.
- Define the term foreign policy and offer current examples.
- The delicate position of women and children in war torn societies and countries on the globe.
- How issues on oil in Nigeria lift the oil prices worldwide.
- How a free trade agreement works.
- The major environmental problems in Australia.
- National gun control statistics compared to the statistics of other countries.
- The function of the Federal Reserve Board in maintaining a stable financial system.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics about Politics .
10 Psychology Informative Speech Topics
- The benefits of greeting people.
- Positive thinking is the key to peaceful living.
- The meaning of dreams.
- How to explain child geniuses.
- Difference between empathy and sympathy.
- How to be more sensitive for an emotionally insensitive person.
- How to know a person’s true personality when we are so good at disguise nowadays.
- Secrets about quiet people.
- How to respond or take a compliment.
- Why do people lie and how to deal with that.
See this page for a full list of Psychology Speech Topics .
12 Relationships Informative Speech Topics
- How marriages today differ from marriages from the 60’s.
- The secrets of happy and successful relationships.
- How to choose the right relationship.
- How to get along with your roommate.
- The guidelines for military marriages.
- How to make long distance relationships work.
- The average age to get married.
- How to talk to people when you have nothing to say.
- How to recognize toxic friends.
- Your Brain Falls in Love Not Only Your Heart.
- Who Was and Is Cupid and Co.
- All You Wanted to Know About Engagement.
10 Religion Informative Speech Topics
- A comparison of Genesis and Revelation in the Bible.
- Modern values are violating religious values.
- How Christ is present in our world.
- What percentage of the world’s population are Christians?
- Why worshipping Satan isn’t a bad thing.
- Why the bunny symbolizes Easter.
- God helps those who help themselves.
- A comparison of different religions.
- The history of the Christian church.
- The main principles of Christianity.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics on Religion and Spirituality .
10 Science Informative Speech Topics
- The difference between an alligator and a crocodile.
- Why whales should not be hunted for food.
- Transhumanism and the evolution of the human race.
- How we can create geniuses.
- Falabella horses are the smallest in the world.
- Why is the colonization of Mars important?
- Albert Einstein’s contributions to science.
- The isolation of nicotinic acid from tobacco.
- The journey to becoming a nuclear physicist.
- Some interesting facts about the human brain.
See this page for a full list of Informative Science Speech Topics .
31 Self-Help Informative Speech Topics
- The difference between boundaries and limits.
- The benefits of affirmation.
- Three goals to strive for in life.
- How to present yourself with confidence.
- Why it’s important to be yourself.
- How to manage your anger.
- How to make a good first impression.
- How to prepare for a job interview.
- Your actions determine your future.
- How to set goals and achieve them.
- How to enhance your public speaking skills.
- How to increase your motivation.
- What makes life meaningful?
- How to take your next big step in life.
- How to construct an argument.
- How to boost your self-esteem.
- How to be happy being single.
- How to avoid procrastination.
- How to improve your manners.
- How to be a good leader.
- The importance of a good attitude.
- How to be more romantic.
- How to break bad habits.
- How to overcome conflict.
- Happiness: The thing we all look for but never really understand.
- What it’s like to be falling in love.
- What is love and what’s not.
- The secret to resolving conflicts.
- Dancing is your secret weapon for happiness and health.
- Things to remember if you don’t want to die with any regrets.
10 School Informative Speech Topics
- Schools should not make money by selling unhealthy candy and soft drinks to students.
- Music with foul language in it should not be allowed at school dances.
- Students should be able to listen to their MP3 players during class.
- Students who commit cyberbullying should be suspended or expelled from school.
- Boys and girls should be taught in separate classrooms.
- Homeschooling produces better results than public schools.
- High School will be the best time of your life.
- Boys are lazier than girls.
- All students should wear school uniform.
- It is possible to Ace your way through High School.
See this page for a full list of School Speech Topics for All Grades .
10 Society Informative Speech Topics
- Why it is bad to judge people by their appearance.
- The lives of isolated indigenous people.
- How to tell someone they are annoying you without being rude.
- How human behavior affects society.
- Left handed people: the underrepresented minority group.
- Is the military a fulfilling career choice for women?
- The effects of discrimination.
- The importance of newspapers in our daily life.
- Do actors and athletes make too much money?
- Why I’m optimistic about our nation’s future.
See this page for a full list of Informative Society Speech Topics .
10 Sport Informative Speech Topics
- Should female students be allowed to play on male sports teams?
- How to do a walking handstand or a cartwheel into the splits.
- Is netball or hockey more dangerous?
- The benefits of sports for all ages.
- Why the spelling bee shouldn’t be on ESPN.
- The worst professional sports teams.
- The importance of sports and games.
- What you should have in your golf bag.
- The history of professional fighting.
- The worst trades in sports history.
See this page for a full list of Informative Sports Speech Topics .
3 Supernatural Informative Speech Topics
- The mystery of the Bermuda triangle.
- The evidence that bigfoot exists.
- The existence of telepathy.
41 Technology Informative Speech Topics
- How roads are built.
- Is wind energy cheap, effective, and practical?
- Why college students should be careful about what they put on social media.
- The uses for artificial intelligence computer networks.
- The danger of putting too much personal information on social networks.
- Modes of communication are constantly changing.
- How has social media impacted our daily lives?
- The line between the human brain and a computer.
- Why technology is a bad thing for growing minds.
- How technology has destroyed human interaction.
- How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?
- The advantages and disadvantages of social media.
- The effects of violent video games on children.
- The decline of interpersonal communication due to technology.
- The difference between hardware and software.
- Antivirus software: beware of malware functions.
- The history of programming languages.
- How voice over IP works.
- What would we do without electricity?
- The benefits of 3D printing.
- The major technological changes since 1990.
- The negative effects of cellphones.
- How to avoid computer viruses.
- The evolution of the internet.
- Computers through the decades.
- How airport biometrics systems work.
- Robots now and in the future.
- How satellites help communication.
- How a water plant operates.
- How watches work.
- The evolution of video games.
- How cellular phones work.
- The evolution of the iPhone.
- How to build a computer.
- How nuclear power works.
- How search engines work.
- How air pressure works.
- The best new technologies.
- The future of electric cars.
- How to practice cyber safety.
- A guide to different social media sites.
15 Travel Informative Speech Topics
- How students can find great vacation bargains.
- The best cruise vacations.
- Famous parliament buildings
- How to test the quality of water when traveling.
- Interesting underground railroad systems in capital cities.
- Investigation shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea.
- The benefits of wind tunnels on transport.
- The discovery of the famous temples in the Maya culture.
- The influence of global warming on Alpine skiing.
- The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- The Wright Brother’s first flight.
- Totem poles and obelisks are symbols of unity, tradition, and pride.
- What you need to know about the Principality of Andorra.
- Why is there a Titanic replica?
- Why the unsinkable and invincible Titanic sank.
9 Workplace Informative Speech Topics
- The benefits of break time for nursing mothers in the workplace.
- The prevalence of dangerous chemicals in the workplace.
- How to survive working in a restaurant.
- Why underwater welding is dangerous.
- How it is to work in the fast food industry.
- How to get a great internship.
- How to become a comedian.
- The most dangerous jobs.
- What are the fastest growing careers?
List of Informative Essay Topics
14 college informative essay topics.
- Benefits of a college degree
- Crimes on college campuses
- Healthiest foods in the campus cafeteria
- How students can stay safe on a college campus
- How students can use eLibrary Curriculum Edition for research
- How to beat senioritis
- How to find cheap textbooks
- How to pick a major
- How to study for and pass a test
- Saving money as a college student
- The story of how your school was founded
- Ways of preventing college dropout
- Whether binge drinking is a problem on your college campus
- Your favorite club or organization on campus
5 Demonstration Informative Essay Topics
- How to bake a cake
- How to knit a scarf
- How to organize a closet
- How to swing a golf club
- How to train your dog
7 Easy / Simple Informative Essay Topics
- A genre of music
- America’s fastest growing cities
- Breeds of dogs
- How a computer works
- Interesting cultures
- Lesser known presidents
- Natural disasters
9 Education Informative Essay Topics
- How to choose a persuasive speech topic
- How to deliver a funny informative speech
- How to deliver a persuasive speech
- How to maintain audience attention during a speech
- How to win your audience with descriptive speech
- How to write a persuasive essay
- How to write an argumentative essay
- How to write an expository essay
- The difference between a thesis statement and a topic sentence
10 Fun Informative Essay Topics
- An impressive world record
- Fun games to play at the beach.
- The history of ice cream
- The revolution of the selfie
- Ways different cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day
- What do people do when they win the lottery?
- What people don’t know about Disneyland
- What you can learn from grade K students
- What your horoscope means
- Why people get tattoos
6 Funny Informative Essay Topics
- Everything you need to know about skinny jeans
- Funny St. Patrick’s Day parades
- How to be nice to people you don’t like
- How to cheat in poker
- How to look attentive when you’re actually not
- Things you can learn from your pet
See this page for a full list of Funny Informative Speech Topics .
10 Health Informative Essay Topics
- All about gluten
- Cause-and-effect relationship of air pollution
- Causes of cancer
- How caffeine works
- How stress affects your body
- How to make exercise a habit
- How to quit smoking
- Symptoms of Alzheimer Disease
- Symptoms of depression
- How to get rid of bad habits
6 Hobbies Informative Essay Topics
- Best places for scuba diving
- Choosing your next book to read
- Peace lily care tips
- Professional baseball stadiums
- The history of your favorite sport
- Types of tropical fish
9 Interesting Informative Essay Topics
- Effects of global warming
- Exotic pets
- How to perform an attention-getting first dance at your wedding
- Near-death experiences
- Places to see in northern Nevada
- The biography of Clyde Tombaugh
- The history of a cliche marriage ritual
- What is your dog actually thinking?
- What your handwriting says about you
See this page for a full list of Informative Interesting Speech Topics .
7 Life Informative Essay Topics
- How to drive a stick-shift
- How to pay off your student loans in under 10 years
- How to succeed in multi-level marketing
- The process of buying a car
- Tips for being an effective networker
- Traveling the world for cheap
- Why people lie
7 Legislation Informative Essay Topics
- Fees and taxes for an electric car
- Minimum wage laws
- The history of drinking age rules
- What dogs are affected by breed specific legislation?
- Anti-trust crimes.
- Benefits of pleading guilty.
- Felony penalties for aggravated stalking.
See this page for a full list of Legal Speech Topics .
10 Pop Culture Informative Essay Topics
- A biography of your favorite celebrity
- All about your favorite author
- All about your favorite television show
- Former childhood stars
- History of your favorite product brand
- Instances where the movie is better than the book
- The Miss America pageant
- The pop art movement during the 20th century and the changes it brought about
- What makes a pop sensation
- Your favorite form of public broadcasting
7 Relationships Informative Essay Topics
How to be a good friend
- How to choose your friends
- How to get along with your in-laws
- How to make a marriage work
- How to survive a blind date gone wrong
- The different types of friendships
- The history of online dating
Picking Your Topic
At first glance, an informative speech may seem like the simplest type of presentation . The basis of an informative speech is to introduce a topic to the audience and then describe or explain it . It sounds fairly straightforward, but special care must be given to selecting a topic or the entire speech may not be well received.
Informative speeches can easily become boring for an audience for several reasons. First, the speaker should be sure not to present a topic which is already well known, or the audience will quickly lose interest. The topic should be something the audience has never encountered, or at least include new and exciting information on a familiar topic. Speakers should remember, when preparing the speech, that their own level of interest will become apparent during delivery of the presentation. In other words, if the speaker is bored by the topic, the audience will feel bored as well.
Knowing the audience is a primary factor in choosing an informative speech topic. The speaker should consider the age, knowledge level, subculture, and other demographics of his listeners when preparing the speech. It is important to present information which is neither too elementary nor too difficult for the audience to comprehend. The chosen topic should reflect the interests of the audience, and should be intriguing to them without rehashing information they already know. For example, college students may be interested in a topic on alcohol use, but they are already very familiar with a topic like the dangers of drinking and driving. In this case the speaker might concentrate his topic on the health benefits of red wine. This way, he has chosen a topic which interests the audience, but is likely to present new information which will not bore his listeners.
Finally, speakers should consider time limits when choosing an informative speech topic. A topic should be covered thoroughly enough that the audience feels as if most of their questions on the topic have been answered. On the other hand, a tight time restriction may prevent the speaker from adequately covering a very intricate topic. When time is limited, a subject which requires lengthy explanation should be avoided. The audience should leave an informative speech feeling as if they’ve gained new insight on a topic. It is good if they are interested in doing their own research to learn more about the subject, but they should never leave the presentation feeling confused or unclear about what they have just heard.
Informative Speech Idea In 5 Steps
1. step one – make a list.
Make a short list of your personal interests and informative speech topic ideas. To help you determine your interests on an informative speech topic, think about your favorite objects, products, people, animals, events, places, processes, procedures, concepts, policies, theories, and so on. Answer these important questions:
- Is there something you love to talk about, always have wanted to research?
- What interests you very much, or do you like or love at first glance?
- Do you have developed special skills in personal or professional life?
- What interesting informative topics do you know a lot of or want to know more about?
- What are some personal or professional experiences and skills in certain situations related to your favorite subjects?
- Can you reveal hidden secrets, new perspectives or insights on some topics?
2. Step Two – Analyze Your Audience
Determine the interests and needs of your audience. What do they want to learn? Can you teach them on a subject you like?
3. Step Three – Check Your Interests
Review the short list of your interests and make a decision. Choose the informative speech topic that is also interesting to your audience. Take care of their interests, questions and needs.
4. Step Four – Research and Write
Research just one new single aspect of that informative speech idea. Look for valuable or amazing information that surprises your listeners. Fresh data, facts, intelligence, and advice will catch their attention immediately! To help you researching: look for new facts, figures, stories, statistics, surveys, personal experiences, professional experiences, quotations, comparisons and contrasts.
5. Step Five – Add Help Props
Demonstrate steps, stages, pros and cons, and remarkable effects by the use of public speaking software or other visual aids , that display the material you want them to be understood or remembered.
Informative Speeches FAQ
1. Speeches About Objects 2. Speeches About Processes 3. Speeches About Events 4. Speeches About Concepts
An informative speech is one that provides information and educates the audience on a specific topic. An informative speech should help your audience learn, understand, and remember information you are presenting.
1. Know your audience or reader 2. Consider your interests 3. Consider length requirements
You can see this page with speech examples .
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613 Original Argumentative Speech Topics Ideas
15 thoughts on “509 Informative Speech Ideas and Topics”
Demonic Possession
Creativity is the Mother of Invention.
1-How to be a good friend: you have to do everything to make them happy, don’t snatch on them
2-How to choose your friends: Choose friends with similar values Choose friends with common goals
3-How to get along with your in-laws:1-Get to know them. … 2-Know your limits. … 3-Keep things cordial. … 4-Put your relationship first
4-How to make a marriage work
5-How to survive a blind date gone wrong 1-Ask open-ended questions. … 2-Tell a funny anecdote. … 3-Let your date talk. … 4-Answer questions fully. … 5-Listen to them carefully.
6-The different types of friendships
7-The history of online dating
the evolution of humans
school doesn’t need to exist
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Hamburgers vs hotdogs
Chocolate Caffeine Grass is Greener on the other side April Fools Why teens should have a part time job or not
History of Tobacco
Effects of anxiety on teenage students.
how depression affects people and others around them
peer pressure and its effects on students
Different ways kids handle peer pressure.
depression and how it can effect a students mindset
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Persuasive Speech Topics: The Best 150 Ideas
Plus, a step-by-step guide for writing and delivering your speech.
Persuasive speech topics can inspire an audience and influence change in your community, town, or city. Whether you are giving a presentation at a large conference or converting a college essay into a speech to be given at your high school's auditorium, delivering a persuasive speech is not an easy task. We are here to guide you through this difficult process and provide you with 150 persuasive speech topics that can help you prepare your own inspirational presentation.
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Article Contents 13 min read
The art of persuasion.
The art of oratory is one of the oldest and most compelling persuasion tactics in human history. The power of speech has been used for centuries by men and women to negotiate peace, start revolutions, and inspire generations. At the source of change, we often witness a great speaker or speech that affected people’s worldviews. King Solomon, Socrates, Cicero, Elizabeth I, Napoleon, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, were all powerful speakers who changed the course of human history.
Luckily, not every persuasive speech happens on such a grand scale. You do not have to become Napoleon to change the lives of people who hear what you have to say. You might have experienced this yourself – perhaps you have had a teacher who instilled in you a great passion for the study of physics during his lectures? Or you happened to attend a political, grassroots gathering where you heard a speech that changed your attitude towards homelessness or poverty. Or maybe your classmate's presentation revealed something about a novel you were reading in class that made you reflect on your own life and the people in it.
The power of a speech lies in your conviction and delivery of the topic you choose to discuss. A persuasive speech topic can be anything you are passionate about. Yes, it is true; whether you want to discuss the repercussions of the Cuban Revolution or analyze the power of K-pop in popular culture, it is up to you to enthrall the audience with your topic. The key to any successful speech is your confidence and enthusiasm. So, let’s start by examining what makes a speech persuasive.
To deliver a speech takes a lot of guts – not everybody is comfortable with public speaking. But to deliver a good speech takes conviction. Think of it like this: you must believe in the importance of your speech topic to discuss it. This must be something you care about and believe in; otherwise, your topic must be something that drives your curiosity, and you believe that it must be examined further.
Conviction stirs your desire to share this topic with others – you are convinced that other people will similarly find this topic fascinating! Whether it is the importance of recycling or bike lanes, the conviction is what will become the backbone of a successful and persuasive topic choice, as well as drive your desire to give a speech in the first place.
With conviction comes passion. These two elements of a successful speech are intimately intertwined. If you believe in the importance of something, you will be passionate about sharing it with the public.
If we look at some of the most famous speeches in human history, you will notice that conviction and passion are the driving force that makes these speeches legendary. Whether it's Cicero's defense of the Republic in the Roman Senate or Martin Luther King's speech in the defense of civil rights almost two millennia later, both these speakers believed in the importance of their convictions and were passionate about sharing their beliefs. In these cases, even despite the threats of death.
Unbiased Expertise
Conviction and passion should also drive your need to know everything there is to know about your topic. To give a persuasive speech, you must not only show confidence and excitement but demonstrate that you are an expert in the topic of your choice. Granted, if you are a high school student or an undergraduate who's been assigned to deliver a speech in less than 2 weeks, you are not going to become a world-renowned expert in your subject matter. However, as I pointed out, your speech topic should be something you are already passionate about, so you must have done some research and have some knowledge of your topic.
A persuasive speech should be based on facts. It should deliver arguments and counterarguments to show many sides of the issue you choose to discuss. For example, if you choose to discuss the importance of bike lanes, you can present several arguments in support of creating more bike lanes in your town or city, such as safety, decrease in traffic, environmental benefits, etc. However, make sure to include arguments that also show the other side of the issue, such as having to close down several major streets in your city to reconstruct the roads to fit in the new bike lanes and the side-effects of construction for businesses. Presenting both sides of the issue will show your comprehensive knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your professionalism.
Using the bike lanes topic as an example, I want to emphasize that showing unbiased research and knowledge of your topic can win the audience’s favor. You can, and should, still have your own opinion on the matter and defend your conviction in the speech but presenting the audience with both sides of the story is a tactic that will make them trust you.
Additionally, knowing both sides of the coin shows that you have come to your conviction after long and thorough research. You are not just presenting an uneducated opinion.
Taking care of the substance of your speech is the first step. While learning how to properly deliver your speech may seem less important, even the most well-researched and factually based speech will seem weak if the orator does not engage the public.
Though they certainly help your confidence, conviction and passion do not always result in strong delivery. This is understandable since public speaking is not everyone’s forte. While you may be animated and absorbing when you speak of your topic with friends, gripping an audience full of strangers is different.
There are three potential goals of any persuasive speech:
To familiarize your audience with a topic they have never considered before and inspire them to research it on their own. "}]' code='timeline1'>
When you think about it, these objectives are pretty ambitious. Delivery plays a huge part in achieving these goals. It will be hard to move your audience to pursue any of these goals without clear articulation, professionalism, and charisma.
Strong delivery can be developed. Yes, there are those to whom oratory skills come more naturally, but this is rather an exception than the rule. Many successful orators were terrified of public speaking but worked hard to overcome their fears. A good example of this is King George VI of England. Before taking the throne in 1936, he was already an infamously bad speaker. The King trained to keep his speech impediment and nerves at bay once he was crowned and delivered one of the most inspiring speeches against Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich at the beginning of World War II.
Now that you know what makes a speech topic persuasive, let's go over a step-by-step formula that will help you choose the right topic for you.
- Brainstorm where your convictions lie and what you are passionate about. You must reflect on what interests, hobbies, news, events, individuals, and activities of yours could be developed into a persuasive, strong narrative.
- Narrow these down to 2 or 3 topics that are particularly important or riveting to you.
- Now comes the practical side of the brainstorming process: take a moment to think whether preparing a comprehensive and compelling speech on this topic is feasible in the amount of time you have available. Consider the following questions: Are the topics of your choice well researched by you? Do you know these topics well? If you are not well-versed in the topic of your choice, do you have enough time to do research to present a comprehensive and complete narrative? Do you have enough time to form a well-developed stance about this topic? A thesis? Will you be able to cover several sides of this topic in the amount of time you have available?
- If you have answered “No” to these questions regarding each of the topics you had in mind, you must go back to the drawing board.
- If you have come up with a topic that results in a positive response to all the questions mentioned in step 3, you might have found the winner.
- Start by developing a thesis, i.e., the main message of your speech. Without a thesis, you will not have a strong speech.
- Develop arguments that endorse your thesis and support them with facts. Remember, a strong speech must be based on facts, rather than opinions and unsubstantiated statements.
- Research counterarguments to your thesis. While you may not personally support these, you must present a well-rounded picture of the issue you are discussing.
- You can finish off your speech by responding to the counterarguments in a way that reinforces your thesis. Don't forget to re-emphasize your main message in the closing paragraphs of your speech.
Know your audience
It is always a good idea to know who your audience is. Whether you are giving a speech in your high school, or traveling to attend an undergraduate conference, reflect on who will be listening to your speech. Before you sit down to write it, consider whether you can give yourself the freedom to use technical language, jargon, or make inside jokes on the matter. In general, I would advise you to avoid overly technical or niche language. It is never a good tactic for making a persuasive speech – this might alienate a large part of your audience.
However, if you are delivering a speech to a like-minded audience, you may use "industry lingo". For example, if you are delivering a speech at a video game convention, it is likely that many, if not most, attendees will be familiar with the terms and vocabulary you use. You will be able to strengthen your speech by using language that unites you with your audience. In this case, you are encouraged to engage the public by making inside jokes, using niche terminology, and creating a relatable experience with your speech.
Knowing your audience will allow you to develop a language for your speech. It will also allow you to gauge how deep you can delve into the topic of your choice. For example, if you are a young physics aficionado who is giving a lecture on black holes to your sophomore classmates, you might want to consider the fact that many of them have never studied physics in depth. This may help you shape your speech into something accessible and interesting for others.
If you are unsure about who your audience might be, try researching it. It is always good practice to know whom you will be addressing. Not only will it help you prepare the speech, but it will also ease your anxiety about the day of your speech delivery.
Hook the audience
Your opening sentences can hook the audience and guarantee their attention. While it will be the substance of your speech that keeps them listening to you, the opening must be captivating for your speech to have a chance for success.
So, what do I mean by hooking the audience with your opening? For example, you can state a shocking statistic about your topic. It will be especially impactful if it is related to your audience’s experiences, geographical area, community, or hot-topic issue. Here’s an example for an opening sentence for a speech about the importance of bike lanes:
“Last year, the city of Toronto recorded 715 serious accidents involving cyclists, with over 5% of these accidents resulting in a fatality."
Now, if I was living in Toronto, I would be surprised to hear such information; especially, if I have never thought about this before. I am saddened by this statistic and would like to learn how we can help prevent these accidents.
Let’s examine another opening. This time, we will consider a speech topic involving a historical event. For example, if you are captivated by the mystery of Princess Anastasia of the Russian royal family, the House of Romanov, you might start your speech thusly:
“The question of whether the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova survived the brutal execution of her entire family by the Bolsheviks is one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century.”
This sentence performs several tasks:
The opening sentence is your chance to establish yourself as the expert! You will seem like the authority on this topic, especially if you can pronounce the Princess's name without mistakes. "}]' code='timeline2'>
Coming up with a strong opening sentence is not easy, but very worthwhile for delivering a persuasive speech. If you are having trouble finding the right opening sentence, you do not need to wait to start writing your speech. If you are stuck, move on to the main body of your speech and return to creating a captivating opening later.
To be persuasive, your speech must have a thesis. A thesis is the main argument you are trying to convince your audience of, or simply put, the purpose of you giving the speech. Without a thesis, your speech will be aimless, chaotic, and most likely, unengaging.
And while you can write your introduction after the main body of your speech is ready, you cannot write your speech without a thesis. It will be the landmark, the leading light, of your speech. Everything you say and every fact and argument you include in your essay must support your thesis. Certainly, you will be able to bring up alternative points of view later in the speech, but as we already discussed, your objective is to persuade the audience that your thesis is the correct one.
Let’s return to our bike lanes example. If you are a proponent of bike lanes, your thesis should be more than “Bike lanes are good”. While this can be considered a thesis, it is pretty thin. Instead, find a way to make your thesis compelling, include a supporting statistic, or a benefit of having bike lanes. For example:
“Having more bike lanes in our city will not only reduce traffic by X% but also allow our city to be at the forefront of the environmentally friendly initiatives happening all over our country.”
This thesis is clear and introduces the audience to some of the main points of the speech. The listeners get a concise prelude to what the speech is about and what it stands for.
Research and Arguments
Research is always conducted before you sit down to write. While you may have some general knowledge about your topic, remember that you are trying to be as persuasive as you possibly can be. This means that you need the latest statistics, the most up-to-date information, and the strongest support from experts in the field.
Tip: keep in mind your thesis as you are writing. All your arguments and facts must be in support of the main purpose of your essay. While you should present alternative points of view in your speech to make it well-rounded and unbiased, a strong speech must contain arguments that make it clear that your thesis is the correct one.
Concluding your speech has a twofold purpose. In addition to persuading the audience of your thesis, you must complete your narrative. Give the audience some closure about the topic. On the other hand, you must leave them even more interested in learning about your research. In other words, they must be compelled to explore on their own.
Tip: your conclusion cannot be a dry summary of your thesis and arguments. While you must restate your thesis in the conclusion, you are strongly encouraged to incite an emotional response from your audience. For example:
“More bike lanes will alleviate the heavy traffic and relieve our city from car fumes and soot. It is our responsibility to start making our city more eco-friendly. These small steps will inspire even more initiatives across our hometown and lead to a brighter, greener, future."
In this example, the audience is not only reminded of the main purpose of the speech but is also encouraged to think of other green initiatives that can help their town. The author does a good job of invoking responsibility for the future to encourage their audience to act.
Want to learn how to choose persuasive speech topics? Check out our infographic:
Now, let’s go over 150 persuasive speech topics that can inspire your own essay and presentation! Note that these are questions that should help you form ideas, arguments, and most importantly, theses. Rather than giving you the thesis upfront, we are encouraging you to come up with your own opinion and answers to these questions.
Your speech should be between 15 to 20 minutes long. Anything longer may lose your audience's attention. If applicable, don't forget to factor in some time after your presentation for questions from the audience.
The best way to approach the choice of topic is to reflect on your convictions and passions. If you are truly interested in a topic, your excitement will be felt by the audience.
Of course, you must be interested in your topic, first and foremost. Secondly, your speech must demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that will allow the audience to believe that you know what you are talking about. Thirdly, your delivery will have a great effect on whether you succeed in persuading the audience. Even a well-researched speech will suffer from poor delivery.
Firstly, only practice can really help you improve. Once you have written your speech, read it over several times. Do not memorize it, but rather, remember the structure, the flow of your arguments, your main points. Then start practicing pronouncing your entire speech in front of the mirror. Do this until you are quite confident with the content of the essay. Then, you can start practicing with family members, your friends, and classmates. Ask for their feedback: can they hear you well? Are you being articulate? Does your speech have a logical flow? Did they understand your thesis? Their feedback can help you modify not only your content, but also your presentation.
Your speech should take the form of an academic essay: introduction, main body, and conclusion.
Your speech must have a thesis, otherwise it will be meandering and pointless. A thesis will guide you and keep your essay/presentation well-structured. A thesis is what you will be arguing for (or against, if it's a negatively stated thesis) throughout your speech. And while you can include some alternative points of view in your speech, your thesis will inform every argument you make in the speech.
Typically, you should avoid using overly technical language. Even if you are presenting at a professional conference in front of peers, there is a chance that some of your audience will be unfamiliar with the professional terminology. To be inclusive, you should avoid niche language.
To be frank, there is no such thing. You can make a great speech on any topic of your choosing! Your research, your delivery, and your passion will determine whether your speech is successful.
Acknowledging opposing views and presence of debate will demonstrate your thorough knowledge of the topic. Additionally, you will demonstrate that you came to your conclusion/thesis after researching the topic, rather than simply forming an uneducated opinion.
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