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30 Engaging Speech Topics for Kids: Boosting Confidence and Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking often looms as a daunting fear for countless kids, and truth be told, it was once a mountain I had to climb myself. Through a blend of dedicated research and navigating my own journey, I’ve unearthed pivotal strategies that revolutionized not just my skillset but my self-assurance too.

This article is set to share 30 captivating speech topics designed to elevate kids’ confidence and hone their public speaking prowess. Prepare to spark some inspiration!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Kids gain confidence in public speaking by expressing themselves on topics they care about. This helps them turn nervous energy into excitement for their next speech.
  • Public speaking skills help kids develop better communication, including articulating thoughts clearly and effective listening.
  • Choosing the right speech topics encourages creativity and personal growth as kids talk about their interests or share personal experiences.
  • Practicing the speech, learning breathing techniques, making eye contact, and receiving positive feedback are key steps to prepare a successful presentation.
  • Speeches on varied topics like the environment, friendship, teachers’ impact, sports benefits, and health encourage children to explore and discuss different subjects confidently.

The Importance of Public Speaking for Kids

Public speaking for kids boosts confidence and develops communication skills . It also encourages creativity and self-assuredness in middle school students.

Boosts Confidence

I know firsthand how standing in front of a crowd can feel like facing a giant. It used to make my palms sweat and my heart race. Yet, I found out that speaking skills aren’t just about getting words out.

They’re about self-assuredness too. Kids gain confidence when they express themselves and realize people are listening and valuing their ideas. This assurance grows with each speech, turning the nervous energy into excitement for the next opportunity.

Seeing this transformation in kids is incredible. One moment, they might be hesitant to even say their name aloud; next, they’re sharing thoughts on engaging topics like friendship or environmental awareness with peers or at school speeches.

The progress isn’t always linear but noticing the change from shyness to boldness proves the power of public speaking skills for kids. Confidence building for children through these experiences prepares them not just for more presentations but also for life’s many conversations and debates ahead.

Develops Communication Skills

Developing communication skills is crucial for kids as it helps them express themselves confidently. When children engage in public speaking , they learn to articulate their thoughts clearly and effectively.

This fosters better interaction with others and promotes active listening , an essential skill for effective communication. Developing these skills at a young age lays a strong foundation for future success, both academically and socially.

Moreover, enhancing communication skills empowers kids to convey their ideas with clarity and conviction. It enables them to build meaningful connections with peers and adults while fostering empathy and understanding in interpersonal relationships .

As children continue to develop these skills, they gain the ability to influence others positively through persuasive language and compelling arguments surrounding various topics.

Incorporating engaging speech topics into their learning environment equips kids with valuable tools that prepare them for real-world experiences while providing opportunities for personal growth.

Encourages Creativity

Choosing engaging speech topics for kids not only enhances their communication skills but also encourages creativity . When children are given the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts on various topics, it sparks their imagination and fosters originality .

This process of brainstorming and articulating their viewpoints amplifies their creative thinking abilities, making public speaking an avenue for them to showcase their unique perspectives.

As they explore different themes through public speaking, they learn how to approach subjects from innovative angles, leading to a deeper understanding of the world around them.

How to Choose Engaging Speech Topics for Kids

When choosing speech topics for kids, consider their interests. Focus on positive messages and encourage personal experiences.

Consider Their Interests

When selecting engaging speech topics for kids, it’s essential to take into account their hobbies and passions . By choosing subjects that resonate with them, you can ignite their enthusiasm and make the speech preparation process more enjoyable.

This also enables children to express themselves authentically on topics they genuinely care about, fostering a sense of confidence and self-assuredness in public speaking situations.

Additionally, aligning the speech topics with their interests creates a natural connection between the speaker and the audience , making the delivery more impactful and compelling.

Focus on Positive Messages

When selecting speech topics for kids, it’s crucial to focus on positive messages . Encouraging themes such as friendship , environmental awareness , and the importance of kindness can inspire children to express themselves confidently and create a supportive atmosphere.

By emphasizing uplifting and optimistic subjects, kids can develop their public speaking skills while conveying meaningful messages that resonate with their audience.

Not only do positive messages empower children to speak confidently, but they also foster a sense of empathy and understanding among peers. This approach ensures that young speakers engage with their audience in a constructive and impactful manner, contributing positively to their personal growth and communication abilities .

Encourage Personal Experiences

As we think about engrossing topics for kids’ speeches, it’s essential to encourage personal experiences . This will enable children to speak from their own lives and share stories that matter to them.

Connecting with their own experiences can make the speech more authentic and engaging , helping them grow confident in expressing themselves.

Encouraging kids to tap into their personal experiences helps them connect with the audience on a deeper level. It also fosters creativity and builds confidence as they share something close to their hearts.

30 Engaging Speech Topic Ideas for Kids

Boost confidence and public speaking skills with 30 engaging speech topic ideas for kids. Read more to empower young speakers!

Environment Day Speech

Today, I would like to talk about the importance of our environment and why we need to take care of it. Our environment gives us clean air to breathe , fresh water to drink , and beautiful nature to enjoy .

It’s important for us to protect our environment so that future generations can also benefit from its gifts. We can start by reducing waste , recycling materials, conserving energy, and planting trees .

Together, we can make a difference and create a healthier planet for all living beings.

Speech on Friendship

Transitioning from discussing environmental topics to friendship, let’s delve into the importance of building relationships through a speech on friendship. Friendships are essential for our well-being and understanding their significance can help kids express themselves confidently.

It also encourages empathy and connection with others, emphasizing the value of positive interpersonal relationships in public speaking beginners’ lives.

Childhood friendships provide support, joy, and companionship.

Encouraging kindness and inclusivity promotes strong bonds .

Speech on Teachers

Teachers play a vital role in shaping our future. Their dedication and hard work deserve recognition. The speech on teachers can express gratitude for their guidance and encouragement, inspiring students to reach for their highest potential.

Sharing personal anecdotes about the impact of a particular teacher can make the speech more heartfelt. Focusing on how teachers inspire growth and learning can resonate with the audience and highlight the importance of educators in our lives.

Speech topics for school speeches

Speech on Sports

Sports are an essential part of our lives and have numerous benefits for kids. Speaking about sports can inspire others to stay active , learn teamwork , and build resilience through both wins and losses.

It’s also a great opportunity to share personal experiences of overcoming challenges and achieving goals in the realm of sports.

Let’s move on to explore the next engaging speech topic for kids!

Speech on Health

Transitioning from the topic of sports to health, it’s important for kids to also understand the significance of taking care of their bodies . This speech on health will provide insights into how we can maintain and improve our well-being.

Kids, keeping ourselves healthy is vital in leading an active and happy life. Let’s delve into some engaging topics that can help us learn more about staying fit and taking care of our bodies.

Healthy living contributes to a happier life.

Health shouldn’t be overlooked; it directly impacts our daily activities .

Understanding how to take care of yourself is crucial at any age.

There are various aspects like exercise, nutrition, and mental well-being that collectively contribute towards a healthy lifestyle.

Tips for Helping Kids Prepare and Present a Successful Speech

Help kids practice their speech repeatedly.

Encourage teaching them breathing techniques.

Stress the importance of making eye contact .

Provide positive feedback to boost their confidence and skills.

For more detailed information, be sure to read on!

Encourage Practice

To boost your public speaking skills, practicing your speech is crucial. Regular practice helps build confidence and fluency in delivering your message. Set aside time each day to rehearse your speech, aiming for smooth delivery and clarity.

Recording yourself can help identify areas for improvement, while practicing in front of a mirror allows you to work on body language and eye contact. The more you practice, the more comfortable and self-assured you’ll become when presenting your speech.

Teach Breathing Techniques

As we encourage practice, it’s important to teach breathing techniques . Deep breaths before speaking can calm nerves and help maintain a steady voice . Slowly inhaling and exhaling helps regulate pace and delivery .

Using these simple yet effective techniques can boost confidence during public speaking. These methods enhance presentation skills while reducing anxiety for a better overall speech performance.

By incorporating such strategies, children will become more self-assured in their public speaking endeavors, ultimately boosting their confidence levels.

Emphasize Eye Contact

When speaking, make eye contact with your audience to build connection and show confidence. This helps you engage with them and keep their attention focused on your speech.

Maintaining eye contact also makes your audience feel acknowledged and respected , enhancing the impact of your message. It portrays self-assuredness and authority while conveying sincerity.

By making deliberate eye contact with different individuals in the audience, you create a sense of inclusivity, making everyone feel involved in the conversation. This simple technique can significantly boost your public speaking skills and leave a lasting impression on your listeners while boosting your own confidence.

Provide Positive Feedback

As you practice your speech, remember to maintain eye contact and use your body language effectively. This will help you connect with your audience and build confidence . You’re doing a great job of preparing for your speech by practicing and focusing on these essential techniques.

Keep up the good work!

Public speaking boosts kids’ confidence and sharpens their communication skills. Kids light up when they talk about things they love. So, picking the right topics is key to getting them excited about public speaking .

From sharing stories about their favorite sports to exploring big ideas like saving the planet, there’s a lot that can spark their interest.

Dr. Samantha Lee, an expert in child psychology with over 20 years of experience, weighs in on this topic. With degrees from prestigious universities and numerous published studies, she understands how crucial public speaking is in developing children’s self-esteem and social skills .

Dr. Lee praises the selection of engaging speech topics for providing a solid foundation for kids to express themselves confidently.

She highlights the importance of these speech activities being safe spaces where kids feel encouraged to share their thoughts without fear of judgment. This approach aligns with ethical standards promoting inclusivity and transparency in educational practices.

Integrating these speech exercises into daily routines or classroom settings can be transformative, Dr. Lee advises. She suggests making it fun by incorporating games or challenges related to upcoming speeches which will not only improve their skills but also make them look forward to speaking out loud.

However, Dr.Lee emphasizes balance – noting while these topics are designed to intrigue children and enhance their presentation abilities, it’s crucial not to push too hard which could lead to stress rather than enjoyment and growth in public speaking capabilities.

In her final recommendation, Dr.Lee sees “30 Engaging Speech Topics for Kids: Boosting Confidence and Public Speaking Skills” as an invaluable tool for young speakers`. She believes such resources significantly contribute towards nurturing articulate and self-assured individuals ready to tackle any conversation or audience with ease.

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Parent's Academy › Activities for Kids › Preschool Activities › Public Speaking for Kids: 30 Topic Ideas for 30 Days

Public Speaking for Kids: 30 Topic Ideas for 30 Days

Samidha raj.

Writer , Jersey City , New Jersey

A great public speaker, whether a young child or a seasoned professional, is someone who reflects charisma and confidence to captivate their audience. It’s okay to feel nervous or to have fear of public speaking. Great public speakers often get nervous, but this nervous energy keeps their adrenaline flowing. 

However, what is not okay is sounding and looking nervous when speaking in public. This makes the audience feel disconnected from the speaker.  Public speaking training for kids  seems like a daunting task, but it’s really a matter of practice.

Help your children to project magnetism and self-assuredness when they speak with these 30 inspiring speech topics for 30 days. Your kids can practice public speaking by taking one topic every day for the next 30 days. This will help them fire their imaginations to be confident public speakers. Here are some topic ideas for public speaking for children, but feel free to invent your own! Choose a topic today!

Boost Your Child’s Speech Development!

Improve language & communication skills with fun learning!

public speaking topics primary school

Public Speaking for Kids: Ideas for Topics

Here are the 30 topic ideas for 30 days of the month:

  • The best part about living on Earth 
  • Let me tell you about my imaginary friend
  • If you were to write a book for your kids your age to read, what it would be about?
  • My favorite cartoon character
  • My favorite time of the day or week
  • The most delicious meal I’ve ever had
  • If I could talk to animals
  • If I could change one thing about the world, it would be
  • My favorite game
  • If I had a million dollars, what would I do?
  • My dream job
  • The funniest movie I have ever seen 
  • My typical day at school
  • What sports do you like? Why?
  • Interesting things you see in the sky
  • The best day of my life
  • My best friend
  • A much-needed invention
  • What planet would you visit and why?
  • If you could have one superpower, what it would be?
  • What’s your favorite outdoor activity?
  • Tell us why too much TV is bad for your health 
  • If you could make one toy, what would it be?
  • What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
  • If you were the President for the day, what would you do?
  • If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?
  • What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
  • What is your least favorite food?
  • What’s the first thing you think of when you wake up?
  • What is your favorite kind of music, and why?

Speaking on the above topic ideas will instill the power of confidence in your kids. When your child is charged with a healthy dose of self-assurance, nothing can get in the way of their success. So, take this 30-day, 30-topic challenge and  boost your child’s confidence  in becoming a great public speaker. You will see a decided improvement in your child’s eye contact, body language, and presentation skills.

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Take this quiz and get a report on your child’s milestones and a personalized learning plan.

public speaking topics primary school

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Speech Topics for Kids

101 Incredible Speech Topics for Kids

16 February 2023

Are you looking for some incredible speech topics for kids?

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this blog post, we’ll give you 101 amazing ideas for speech topics that will have your young public speaker feeling confident and excited to take the stage for their next presentation. From discussing their favourite sports team to sharing a personal story, there will surely be a topic on this list that resonates with every child.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

Looking for some fun debating topics? Check out our blog on debate topics here !

public speaking topics primary school

What makes a good public speaking topic?

Finding good speech topics, especially as a kid, can be an intimidating task.

As children, our interests tend to change, and it may be difficult to find speech topics that we can expand upon and still engage the audience.

It is important to remember that kids should aim to give presentations on any topic they are passionate about. Ideally, when looking for successful kids’ speech topics, school students should pick a particular topic:

  • they know well, as this will help them give a good speech without too much extra research;
  • that has enough content, which will help with speech length; and
  • is interesting and relevant to the audience they’ll be presenting to.

Taking some time to consider all of these factors will go far in making sure kids create informative, valuable presentations that make their parents proud!

public speaking topics primary school

The three different kinds of speeches

Whether your child is a budding public speaker or simply looking to bolster their confidence in front of an audience, it’s important to be aware of the three main types of speeches they can give: Informative, Entertaining, and Persuasive speeches.

  • An informative speech teaches people something as they explain a process, inform about a topic, or share information with an audience.
  • An entertaining speech is more light-hearted and focuses on entertaining an audience with a story, joke, or anecdote.
  • A persuasive speech aims to convince an audience of a particular viewpoint. In these types of speeches, it’s important for the speaker to have strong topic knowledge as well as supporting evidence to back up their argument.

By understanding these three speech styles, young public speakers can choose the speaking style that makes them feel the most comfortable and excited about the task of public speaking.

We have provided a range of topics that fit into each of these three speech types and therefore will be perfect for any young public speaker, regardless of their personal preference!

Remember: you can always put a spin on any speech topic to make it more informative, persuasive, or entertaining. Feel free to challenge yourself by turning one of our persuasive speech topics into a comedic presentation or taking an entertaining topic and using it to build a persuasive speech – there is usually no need to restrict yourself to one particular style of expression!

public speaking topics primary school

Informative Speech Topics

At our public speaking courses for kids, we know how important it is to find the perfect informative speech topic. We want your young public speakers to explore ideas and topics that resonate with their interests and spark their passion for presenting!

From urban bees to sports nutrition, science experiments to art history, the possibilities are endless!

Our list of kid-friendly speech topics provides a great starting point for creating an informative, engaging presentation. Whether they choose a familiar subject or something new and exciting, our goal is to support student excellence in every way possible.

Check out these informative speech ideas:

  • Exploring the Benefits of Outdoor Play
  • The History of Video Games
  • How to Become an Eco-Friendly Consumer
  • The Positive Impact of Music Education
  • What Makes a Great Leader?
  • The Science Behind Climate Change
  • Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
  • Understanding the International Space Station
  • Discovering Ancient Civilizations
  • Exploring Different Cultures Through Dance and Music
  • Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
  • The Art and Science of Computer Programming
  • Every Day Victories
  • The Harms of Violent Video Games
  • Types of Alternative Energy Sources
  • Exploring Different Types of Art
  • The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
  • Ancient Mythology and Folklore
  • The Science Behind the Human Brain
  • Famous Scientists in History
  • The Most Delicious Meal of All Time
  • Recycling and Waste Management Solutions
  • Global Warming vs Climate Change
  • Robotics: Past, Present, and Future
  • Understanding the Solar System
  • The Biggest Social Issues of our Times
  • The Secret Life of…
  • Investigating Animal Habitats in Nature
  • Why E-Books are the Future
  • Exploring the Wonders of Chemistry

public speaking topics primary school

Entertaining Speech Topics

Figuring out entertaining topics for public speaking can be a challenge, especially when the speaker is young.

However, the right topic can be the key to making a great impression on your audience.

Whether you are interested in discussing robotics or telling stories of your own life experiences, there is bound to be an entertaining speech topic suitable for everyone!

Our rich variety of topics ensures that young public speakers have plenty of choices when it comes to finding what will make for a captivating performance.

Check out these 30 fun topic ideas that can humour, shock, or entertain the audience:

  • Proof that We Live in a Computer Game
  • The Best Jokes for Kids
  • My Imaginary Friend
  • My Crazy Summer Vacation
  • How I Got In Trouble With My Parents
  • Weird Foods Around the World
  • Fun Facts About Dinosaurs
  • Frighteningly Funny Ghost Stories
  • If I Were a Cartoon Character…
  • Embarrassing Moments We’d Rather Forget!
  • Epic Pranks I’ve Pulled off So Far
  • Interesting Reasons Why We Laugh
  • Life Through a Dog’s Eyes
  • My Favourite Outdoor Activity
  • If I had One Superpower…
  • Superheroes and Their Amazing Powers
  • The Best Thing About Dragons
  • Why Too Much TV is a Good Thing
  • Funny Things I’ve Heard on the Bus
  • Unusual Hobbies Around the World
  • Weird Etiquette Rules That Don’t Make Any Sense
  • How to Make Your Own Board Game
  • Mysteries of the Deep Sea
  • Exploring Outer Space: Astronomy for Kids
  • Fantastic Fables from Other Countries
  • Bizarre Traditions From Around the World
  • The Art of Storytelling: Creative Writing Ideas
  • Fun Facts About Animals
  • Learning with Lego: Building a Better Future
  • The Power of Imagination: Mindful Meditation Techniques

public speaking topics primary school

Persuasive Speech Topics

Writing a persuasive speech can be intimidating for kids, but it doesn’t have to be.

Not sure where to start? No problem! We have plenty of kid-friendly persuasive speech topics to get students’ creative juices flowing.

From discussing the importance of friendship and relationship building to spurring environmental awareness, we have the perfect persuasive speech topics for any young public speaker.

Become confident and display your power of persuasion with our helpful advice and engaging list of topics.

Have a look at these 30 persuasive speech topics that can help kids call others to action:

  • The Benefits of Social Media
  • How to Become a Responsible Citizen
  • The Value of Having Good Manners
  • Taking Care of the Environment: Reducing Pollution and Waste
  • The One Thing I Know About Eating Healthy Foods
  • Exercise for Kids: Why It Is Important
  • The Impact of Technology on Education
  • Building Better Communities Through Community Service
  • Developing Self-Discipline for Success in Life
  • Argumentative Strategies That Can Be Used In Everyday Life
  • The Power of Positive Thinking
  • Creating Lasting Memories with Family Time
  • Exploring Different Cultures with Travel and Adventure
  • The Importance of Teamwork and Collaboration
  • My Favourite Restaurant
  • Why I Learned a Second Language (and You Should Too)
  • Exploring Causes for Climate Change and Possible Solutions
  • Learning the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure
  • Making Wise Choices When Shopping Responsibly
  • Understanding Cyberbullying and Taking Action Against It
  • Finding Success in Failure: Reframing the Mindset
  • Learning About Money Management through Financial Literacy Programs
  • Practising Compassion, Kindness, and Respect For Others
  • Building Self-Confidence Through Leadership Activities
  • Using Creativity to Solve Everyday Problems
  • Exploring Ways to Balance School and Extracurricular Activities
  • Making Healthy Choices Through Positive Leadership
  • The Wisdom of Being a Young Person
  • Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Schools
  • Learning How To Analyze Fake News with Critical Thinking Skills

Classic Speech Topics for Kids

Not sure if you want to do an informative, persuasive, or entertaining speech?

Are you looking for classic topics that have been done time and time again but are popular topics for a reason?

Look no further than these classic speech topics:

  • My Favorite Book
  • What I Learned From My Pet
  • How to Have Fun Without Technology
  • The Place That Inspires Me the Most
  • The Power of Music
  • What It Means To Be A Good Friend
  • My Best Day Ever
  • If I had Three Wishes…
  • Living a Simple But Fulfilling Life
  • Celebrating Diversity in Our Community
  • My Hero: The Person Who Inspires Me the Most

public speaking topics primary school

Impromptu and Abstract Speaking Topics

Whilst approaching impromptu and abstract speech topics can be daunting, there actually isn’t much difference between them and normal speech topics.

Impromptu speech topics are usually more generic, providing students with the opportunity to reflect on their own lived experiences and share that with their audience. Rather than spending time finding the perfect content to fit impromptu speech topics, the better approach is generally to bend the topic to something that you’re familiar with and comfortable speaking about, whether it be knitting being the best part of your day or a conversation you had with a friend about time travel.

Being prepared will give your child the confidence necessary to make their presentation successful – so if you’re not sure what speech topic you’re likely to get, make sure to think up plenty of anecdotes before the presentation!

Picking the perfect speech topics for kids

Now that you have a fantastic speech idea, it’s time to get writing!

Let our resources help guide you through the speech crafting process (we’ve got plenty of blogs and videos to help) and give your child the opportunity to shine on the stage. Don’t forget to practice your speaking manner either, including your tone of voice and body language!

Moreover, our in-person and online courses provide step-by-step instruction and guidance throughout each program so kids learn exactly how real-world speaking works – all tailored specifically for your own future speaker.

You can also visit our YouTube Channel for advice to guide you through the entire speech writing process, as well as expert tips for practising your performance!

So don’t wait – take advantage today and get ready to stand out from the crowd with an amazing speech!

151 Best Public Speaking Topics In 2021

Thu Oct 21, 2021

Do you love giving a speech in front of a large group of people or simply feel nervous about it? Sometimes, the lack of preparation and planning a good speech may cause the latter. With today's fast-paced environment, you will have to step up on stage to deliver a speech at some time in your life. Writing a compelling and insightful speech necessitates the selection of a suitable topic, extensive research. It will need the creation of individual ideas to communicate everything fact and opinion. It might be difficult to select a suitable speech topic for your speech . But don't worry, the work has been done for you! This blog provides a list of popular English speaking themes as well as some useful tips and methods. Be ready to effectively communicate your views and suggestions in front of the public. Table Of Contents:

List Of Best Speech Topics For Public Speaking

1-minute speech topics.

  • 2-Minute Speech Topics

Unique Speech Topics

Interesting speech topics, easy speech topics, speech topics on environment.

  • Speech Topics On Social Issues

Speech Topics On Greatest Leaders

Speech topics on education, speech topics on health, frequently asked questions.

Speeches are entirely about the speaker's own ideas. It should not be duplicated from another source. It ultimately boils down to what the speaker believes about any particular issue. Examine the following collection of English Speaking Ideas on various current topics and themes.

public speaking topics primary school

A 2-minute speech is an excellent method to start into public speaking and is often utilised in the classroom. It's brief. It's quick.

To make things easier for yourself, choose a topic that fascinates you and about which you can speak passionately.

  • Public Smoking
  • Bar Hours of Operation
  • Confirmed Alien Sightings
  • The Rape Culture
  • Indian Reservation Casinos
  • Marijuana Legalization
  • Making Prostitution Legal
  • The Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery
  • Adoption Across Cultures
  • What Causes Men to Have Affairs?
  • What Is the Importance of Reading?
  • Homelessness in the United States
  • Reducing the Legal Drinking Age
  • General Education Courses (20)
  • Is Online Dating Dangerous or Safe?
  • How to Speak English in America
  • Getting Your Pets Spayed/Neutered
  • Are Video Games Beneficial to Your Health?

Choosing new and exciting unique speech themes for your public speaking skills is vital. It can also help with any other special event that necessitates developing your own exceptional experiences. Read through these ideas and choose just the ones that are unique to you.

  • Seniors are no longer able to adopt children.
  • TV commercials are not works of art.
  • Allow students to use social media at school.
  • Cash will be phased out.
  • Music has the ability to heal.
  • Historic structures must be protected.
  • There should be a one-car-per-family regulation.
  • Marriage should be permitted only after the age of 25.
  • Parents who home educate their children should first have to pass examinations.
  • The Bermuda Triangle is not a work of fiction.
  • Medication has no effect on hyperactive youngsters.
  • It is possible to survive without internet access.
  • Leadership cannot be learned.
  • Married couples should engage in extramarital relationships.
  • Modern art just requires ambition.

Almost always, you will be required to present one or more compelling speeches throughout your career.

Unless the topic is appropriate, no matter how good your material or delivery is, you will fail to make an impression. As a result, when making this decision, one must use extreme caution and wisdom. Here are some interesting topics to choose from, especially if it’s your first on stage.

  • Reality television is a source of exploitation.
  • Reality programmes are far from authentic.
  • Computer-based learning is the most efficient.
  • Gamification and virtual reality are the educational technologies of the future.
  • Juvenile criminality is tolerated.
  • Prostitution need to be legalised.
  • To conserve endangered species, severe fines should be imposed.
  • Pollution of the environment is a worldwide issue.
  • The developed world is to blame for global warming.
  • Is Pink appropriate for men
  • Eco-fashion is the way of the future.
  • Fashion shows one's actual self.
  • Travel introduces fresh experiences.
  • Travel broadens your horizons.
  • Rhetorical learning is less essential than personal experience.

If you don't have much time to prepare or research , it's necessary to adhere to what you know. This will greatly reduce your burden because you already know the majority of what there is to know.

Here are some simple and easy speech topics on popular topics.

  • There are less professional ads in schools.
  • Why are single-gender public schools preferable than co-ed?
  • From cradle to finish, schools should educate students on healthy nutrition.
  • Students who engage in cyberbullying should be expelled from school.
  • Before getting married, you should live together.
  • Higher education is a basic requirement for success in today's world.
  • French fries and drinks should not be served in schools.
  • Students who study online are more likely to cheat.
  • Classic literature should be reserved for college students alone.
  • Every kid at every school should be required to wear a uniform.
  • After completing a basic education, students should be put in trade schools.
  • Exam results provide little insight into a student's skills.
  • History textbooks do not always tell the entire storey.
  • It is critical for students to learn about all global faiths in school.
  • Homeschooling outperforms formal education.

For public speaking , consider environmental speech themes and essay writing on many elements of our ecology. https://www.letstute.com/s/store/courses/Spoken%20English

Do you want to write about sustainability in the environment? These suggestions will serve to enliven your imagination.

  • The dangers of oil spills in the water.
  • Recycling should be made compulsory.
  • Why is it necessary to save oil?
  • Why should we use reusable bags?
  • Why should palm oil be banned?
  • Mining should be prohibited in environmentally vulnerable regions.
  • Disposable diapers pollute the environment.
  • In deciding how a person will turn out, the environment is more significant than heredity.
  • The dangers of drilling for oil in Alaska.
  • Fishing restrictions are required to protect the ecosystem.
  • Endangered species must be protected.
  • We need to put more money into alternate fuels.
  • Endangered oceans ought to be protected.
  • We should work for a paperless society.
  • Conserve the world's resources.
  • Rain forests must be safeguarded.

You may also like:

  • The massive list of 51 English speaking tips
  • How talk in English
  • 13 Actionable tips to learn English Speaking

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Speech Topics on Social Issues

When working on a speech that asks you to write about a societal topic, you must be neutral in your research and writing. The topic you choose should be related to and relevant to the societal issue addressed in your speech. Here are a few issues that will have a bigger influence in terms of social affairs.

  • The notion that all individuals are equal
  • The statistics on homelessness in the United States are accurate. Fashion is the biggest cause of kid misbehaviour.
  • Corporate corruption is a major factor of poor economies in many countries.
  • Never take your right to privacy for granted.
  • People are not killed by firearms. People kill one other, and the meaning of beauty pageants is muddled.
  • The prevalence of spoiled children has increased as a result of media violence.
  • The world's biggest population has lost its cultural identity.
  • There is an urgent need to put an end to the maiming and abuse of schoolgirls.
  • China's one-child policy is justifiable.
  • In current culture, correct tipping etiquette and procedures
  • Unemployment, a growing crisis
  • The Importance of the Right to an Education
  • Child trafficking as an unspoken issue

The capacity to lead is extremely powerful since it allows you to influence the future and control the behaviour of others.

Choose a theme for your speech that focuses on the notion of leadership. By delving into this subject and expanding on it in your speech, you may not only increase your personal understanding of what makes a successful leader. However, also communicate your insights with your listening crowd. Pick on the topics below to exemplify leadership.

  • Jacinda Adern
  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Winston Churchill
  • Martin Luther King Jr
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Mother Teresa
  • Napoleon Bonaparte
  • George Washington
  • Julias Caesar
  • Franklin D Roosevelt
  • Francoise Hollande
  • Pope Francis
  • Akbar the Great

Education is a human right to which everyone is entitled. When individuals differ on what is good and wrong with education, problems occur. As a part of public speaking, education becomes an important topic to address the audience about.

The topics listed below are ones that everyone working in or with education must deal with at some time.

  • The value of education in advancing one's career
  • Outside the classroom, there is a lesson to be learned.
  • The Advantages of E-Learning
  • E-learning vs. traditional classroom instruction
  • What will the future of education look like?
  • Is it appropriate for instructors and students to connect on social media?
  • Should homework be assigned in schools?
  • How to Achieve Academic Success in College Through Online Learning
  • Which is the better measure of success: theory or practise?
  • Various modes of learning and teaching
  • Before being admitted to school, one should undergo a psychological evaluation.
  • Do you believe it should be permissible for students to drop out before reaching the age of 18?
  • Should life skills classes be required in schools?
  • Should public universities be free?
  • Should laptops take the role of textbooks?

Today, public health speeches are required so that people may concentrate on promoting and safeguarding community health. It is critical to implant the concept of well-being in broad groups of people, with a focus on wellness.

Here is a list of compelling and instructive health and wellness speech themes. These are certainly, also for the purpose of enhancing your own thinking and that of others.

  • Diet beverages are frequently not diet at all, while ordinary beverages are not quite regular.
  • Going barefoot in the summer is beneficial to your feet.
  • Take a test to determine whether you are susceptible to any hazardous diseases or viruses.
  • Why you shouldn't work too hard if you have diabetes.
  • Breakfast is the most essential meal of the day for several reasons.
  • Fast food establishments should provide healthier choices.
  • Do you believe that sex education should be taught in schools?
  • People who live in cities will die younger.
  • Excessive salt consumption is harmful to one's health.
  • Consumption of meat should be decreased.
  • People should be more concerned about their sleep.
  • Why should you become an organ donor?
  • Why should we utilise homoeopathic remedies?
  • Why are vaccinations beneficial?
  • Are e-cigarettes preferable to cigarettes?

1. What are the 4 types of public speeches?

To master public speaking, you must first distinguish between four styles of public speaking:

  • Ceremonial Speaking
  • Demonstrative Speaking
  • Informative Speaking
  • Persuasive Speaking

2. What do you say in a 2-minute public speech?

Prepare your 2–3 main points ahead of time, and keep in mind that a successful presentation would include:

  • Captivating start, such as a strong quotation or questions that pique your audience's attention.
  • Introduction, major body, and conclusion are all well-structured.
  • A strong conclusion that will stay with the viewers.

3. What is the best topic for students?

The Best Speech Topics for Students:

  • Noise Pollution
  • Women Empowerment
  • Environment Pollution
  • Health and Wellness

4. What are the 7 elements of public speaking?

The 7 aspects of public speaking are:

  • The speaker
  • The message
  • The channel
  • The listener
  • The feedback
  • The interference
  • The circumstance

5. How do you practice impromptu speaking?

You may practise spontaneous speeches in two ways:

  • You're on your own. Every day, pick a different random topic and talk out about it.
  • Speak in front of a group. The greatest method to master spontaneous speaking is to practise in front of a group and receive expert criticism.

People are generally encouraged to talk about a current issue in order to help them become better public speakers. They are also required to acquire the skill of expressing themselves in front of an audience. Choosing the appropriate topic before you begin practising your speech may make all the difference. It is a method of keeping your audience engaged and from being bored. You may also choose one about which you are enthusiastic so that you can express it properly. When considering these persuasive English speech ideas, ensure you keep it interesting, engaging, short, and clear. Do you think we left something out? Or do you have a topic that you believe is significant and would want to add? Please mention them in the comments section below!

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19 Unique Public Speaking Activities for Kids

Hrideep barot.

  • Public Speaking

A visual representation of a kid doing public speaking

Public speaking in general is a challenging task. It takes a long time and a tremendous amount of practice for one to be finally able to master the art of public speaking. Developing such an essential skill takes time. Giving your kid a head start so they grow up to be much more confident in public speaking is always a good thing. So, here is a list of 19 unique public speaking activities for kids that you can try with your child from time to time or daily to give them a kick start into the world of public speaking.

Benefits of teaching public speaking to kids

Public speaking activities for kids, challenges and how to overcome them, improved communication skills, boosted confidence, enhanced critical thinking, greater self-awareness, empathy and understanding, improved academic performance, leadership development, overcoming fear and nervousness, professional growth, better social skills, acquiring presentation skills, improving body language, fostering creativity, developing resilience, building a sense of achievement, preparation for real-world situations.

Before we get into the details of the public speaking activities for kids, let’s look into the benefits of teaching your kids the basics of public speaking from a young age. It offers a wide range of benefits that extend far beyond just the ability to deliver a speech.

Public speaking teaches kids how to articulate their thoughts clearly and effectively, which enhances their overall communication abilities. It also encourages them to think independently and develop analytical thinking skills.

Through practice and positive reinforcement, kids gain confidence in their ability to speak in front of others. This confidence often extends to other areas of their lives. Public speaking allows children to share their opinions leading to increased self-assurance. With more exposure, their comfort level will improve, leading to a continuous cycle of progress and growth.

Planning and delivering a speech requires kids to organize their thoughts, analyze information, and structure their arguments, which fosters critical thinking skills.

Public speaking encourages kids to reflect on their beliefs, values, and experiences, leading to increased self-awareness and self-expression.

Through the process of presenting and listening to others, kids develop empathy by understanding different perspectives and learning to relate to their audience.

Strong communication skills are valuable in all academic subjects. Kids who excel in public speaking often perform better in writing, reading, and other verbal tasks.

Public speaking instills leadership qualities like confidence, decision-making, and the ability to influence and inspire others.

Learning to manage stage fright and nervousness is an important life skill that can help kids face challenges with courage.

Effective public speaking is a valuable skill in many careers. It can open doors to opportunities for leadership roles and advancement in various fields.  Effective communication is increasingly essential in the working world, and public speaking is a vital skill to have. By learning public speaking at a young age, children can develop the skills necessary for future job opportunities.

Public speaking encourages kids to interact with peers and adults, leading to improved social skills, including listening, empathizing, and responding appropriately.

Kids learn how to use visual aids, body language, and tone of voice effectively, which are important components of delivering a compelling presentation.

Public speaking can have significant benefits on body language. When speaking effectively in front of an audience, children become more aware of their body language and how they can use it to communicate more effectively

Crafting engaging speeches encourages kids to think creatively, use their imagination, and find innovative ways to present information.

Public speaking may come with challenges, such as forgetting a line or facing a tough audience. Overcoming these hurdles builds resilience and determination.

Successfully delivering a speech provides a sense of accomplishment and pride, boosting a child’s self-esteem and motivation to tackle new challenges.

Whether in school, extracurricular activities, or future career endeavours, the ability to communicate effectively in public is an invaluable skill.

Overall, teaching public speaking to kids equips them with skills and confidence that can positively impact their personal, academic, and professional lives. It empowers them to express themselves, connect with others, and navigate a variety of social and professional situations. Read more at “ 10 Benefits Of Public Speaking For Kids (How To Teach Them) “

For Middle School Children:

  • Show and Tell with a Twist
  • Impromptu Storytelling
  • Tongue Twisters
  • Role-Playing Scenarios
  • Observe the Journey
  • Showcase a Talent or Hobby
  • Picture Prompt Presentation
  • Mystery Box Presentation

For High School Kids:

  • The Cooperation Game
  • Conversation Dice
  • Mini Debates
  • Alternative Endings
  • Creative Poetry Slam
  • News Reporter Exercise
  • Interview a Fictional Character
  • TED-Style Talks
  • Time Capsule Presentation
  • Inventor’s Pitch

Public speaking activities for kids can help them develop their communication skills and overcome their fear of speaking in front of others. Here are some fun and engaging public speaking activities kids in middle school :

1. Show and Tell with a Twist

Instead of just showing an object or a funny image, ask the child to present a story or information about it. Encourage them to use descriptive language, engage the audience, and encourages them to think creatively.

2. Impromptu Storytelling

Provide a prompt or a few random objects and ask the child to create a short story on the spot. This helps them think on their feet and improve improvisational skills.

3. Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters are diction exercises that help children learn to speak more clearly and slowly.

4. Simon Says

This classic game helps with both listening and speaking. The kids completing the actions have to listen, but you can also have a child be Simon, allowing them to practice leadership skills.

5. Role-Playing Scenarios

Have the child take on different roles and present as if they were that character. This can be a fun way to practice different styles of speaking.

6. Observe the Journey

While driving, walking, or on public transport, ask your child to describe as much of their surroundings as they can within one minute. This activity helps children develop their observation and descriptive skills.

7. Showcase a Talent or Hobby

Invite kids to present something they’re passionate about, like a musical instrument, a dance, or a craft they’ve made.

8. Picture Prompt Presentation

Show the child an image and ask them to speak about what they see, or create a story around it. This activity helps them practice observational skills and storytelling.

9. Mystery Box Presentation

Place an object in a box and have the child guess what it is without looking. Then, they can give a short presentation about the object. The element of surprise makes it all the most interesting for the kids.

Going ahead let’s look into the public speaking activities for kids in high school :

10. The Cooperation Game

Have three volunteers tell a story. The catch is each person can only say one phrase of the story, and the story must end with a predetermined ending. With this children will learn to be accommodative and develop team spirit and narrative skills.

11. Conversation Dice

For this activity, you need dice with topics of discussion written on the sides. Put students into small groups. Students will roll the dice and then discuss the topic that appears on the dice.

12. Mini Debates

Organize a small debate where kids can express their opinions on a given topic. This encourages critical thinking and persuasive speaking skills. But ensure the topics given are child-friendly and appropriate.

13. Alternative Endings

Have your child tell a story, and then ask them to come up with an alternative ending. This activity helps children develop their creative thinking skills.

14. Creative Poetry Slam

Encourage kids to write and perform their own poems. This activity not only fosters creativity but also helps them practice rhythm and intonation.

15. News Reporter Exercise

Pretend to be a news anchor and have the child report on a made-up event or a real news story. This helps with articulation and clarity.

16. Interview a Fictional Character

Have the child imagine they are interviewing a character from a book, movie, or history. This encourages creative thinking and empathy.

17. TED-Style Talks

Have kids watch age-appropriate TED Talks and then encourage them to give their own short talks on a topic of their choice.

18. Time Capsule Presentation

Ask kids to imagine they’re from the future and they’re presenting about life in the present day. What would they include in their time capsule?

19. Inventor’s Pitch

Have kids come up with an imaginary invention and present it as if they were pitching it to potential investors.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many other unique public speaking activities that you can come up with. The most important thing is to find something that your child is interested in and that will help them develop their public speaking skills.

Here are some additional tips for making public speaking activities more unique and engaging for kids:

  • Use props and costumes. Props and costumes can help kids to be more creative and expressive in their public speaking.
  • Have them work in groups. Working in groups can help kids to learn from each other and to support each other.
  • Give them a specific challenge. For example, you could challenge them to give a speech without using any filler words, or to give a speech in a different language.
  • Make it fun! Public speaking should be an enjoyable experience for kids. Try to find ways to make the activities fun and engaging for them.

Here is a list of other resources for you to learn more from:

5 Ways to Teach Public Speaking to Kids

24 Public Speaking Games for Kids

7 Public Speaking Exercises for Kids

Importance of Public Speaking Skill for Kids

7 Tips To Improve Public Speaking Skills in Children

9 Effective Ways How To Teach Public Speaking To Kids

Fear of public speaking

Lack of interest, lack of practice, poor organization and planning, stress and anxiety.

Teaching public speaking to kids can be challenging, but there are ways to overcome these challenges. Here are some common challenges and how to overcome them:

Many children are afraid of speaking in front of others. To overcome this, parents can encourage their child to develop positive self-talk patterns and challenge negative thoughts with more empowering ones. Gradually introducing more formal speaking situations, such as school presentations or community events, can also help children develop a sense of familiarity and confidence in expressing themselves.

Some children may not be interested in public speaking. To overcome this, parents can try to incorporate public speaking into normal activities, such as storytelling or conversation dice. Letting children pick a topic they like and practice with their friends can also make public speaking more engaging.

Public speaking requires practice to improve. To overcome this, parents can encourage their child to practice speaking in front of a mirror or with a friend. Public speaking coaching classes can also help children develop their skills and receive feedback from professionals.

Poor organization and planning can lead to a lack of confidence and clarity when speaking. To overcome this, parents can encourage their child to plan and organize their thoughts before speaking. They can also teach their child to use visual aids, such as PowerPoint presentations, to help organize their ideas.

Stress and anxiety can make public speaking more challenging. To overcome this, parents can teach their child relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization. They can also encourage their child to practice speaking in a comfortable and familiar environment before moving on to more formal speaking situations.

By addressing these challenges and providing children with the necessary support and resources, parents can help their children develop strong public speaking skills and overcome their fear of speaking in front of others. Remember, every child is unique, so it’s important to be flexible and adjust your approach based on their individual needs and interests. Patience, encouragement, and a positive learning environment are key to helping kids overcome these challenges and develop their public speaking skills.

Engaging and unique public speaking activities can make the learning process enjoyable for kids. Remember to provide constructive feedback after each activity and create a supportive environment where kids feel comfortable expressing themselves. These activities can be adjusted based on the age and interests of the children involved. You can always get in touch with our professionals to help you help your kid get better at public speaking. Check out our services !

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  • Speech Topics for Kids

Speech topics for kids should include more than "how I spent my summer vacation!".

I remember having to do this every year in elementary school... blah, boring! It was exceptionally boring if our family didn't DO anything special that year.

So here you'll find a few different, more inspiring speech topics for children that will help fire their imaginations and prompt them to talk about the subjects closest to their hearts.

Find more than 40 speech ideas and prompts for young students to draw from below .

speech topics for kids

1st 10 Speech Topics For Kids

  • persuade us that doing homework is good/not good for you
  • convince us that watching cartoons is good/not good for you
  • argue that recess should be longer
  • explain why dogs are better than cats (or the other way around)
  • show us how to make a popsicle pencil holder
  • show us how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich
  • tell us why living on planet Earth is better than living on planet Mars
  • tell us what happened to the dinosaurs
  • show us how to stop a nosebleed
  • tell us what makes you a good friend to have

Set 2 - Speech Ideas for Kids

  • tell us about the world's largest animal (blue whale)
  • tell us about the world's tallest animal (giraffe)
  • tell us about the world's fastest insect (dragonfly)
  • talk about air pollution and how to reduce it where you live
  • What is the best thing about summer?
  • What planet would you visit and why?
  • Responding to bullies on the playground
  • Yes/no - too much violence on TV
  • Who is your hero/heroine and why?
  • If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Set 3 - Speech Topics for Young Students

  • How would you make your school better?
  • What is your favorite kind of music and why?
  • Tell us about your favorite outdoor activity
  • tell us about your favorite book
  • Your favorite thing about going back to school is?
  • Why should everyone eat more vegetables
  • persuade us that drinking soda is bad for your health
  • what is your favorite sport?
  • convince us to recycle
  • tell us why too much TV is bad for your health 

Set 4 - More Public Speaking Subjects Appropriate for Children 

  • Tell us why wearing a uniform to school is/is not a good idea
  • tell us how rainbows are formed
  • how to tell time with a sun clock
  • why is it important to brush your teeth?
  • What is the greatest thing ever invented?
  • Which cartoon character or fairy tale character would you like to be?
  • What is your favorite sports activity?
  • What are the safety rules for riding a bike?
  • What is your favorite subject in school and why?
  • What animal would you be if you could be an animal for a day?

I hope these speech topics for kids have given you some ideas that may motivate your young students to produce some exciting presentations.

You may also like to check out some positive quotes for kids , which often inspire speech ideas themselves! Using a quote as a prompt for a speech is fun, and it can be very enlightening to discover just what some quotes mean to younger students.

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60 Interesting Public Speaking Topics to Engage Your Audience

public-speaking-topics

If you’re the type of person who gets head spinningly, palms-sweaty nervous when asked to make a public speech, you’re certainly not alone. As intimating and intimidating as it may seem, it’s true that having the ability to confidently stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech can be a super useful tool. Not only could it bring you better marks in school, it’ll also come in handy in future job applications, leadership positions, and even in everyday conversation. Now that you’re serious about conquering public speaking , the next step is knowing what to say. We’ve got your back on this one. Here’s a list of 60 interesting public speaking topics which promise to keep your audience engaged and eager to hear what you have to say. Customize them however you please, add more information and ideas of your own, and let your ideas do the talking! Let’s get going!

Interesting Public Speaking Topics

Public speaking provides a unique opportunity for speakers to share their opinions, experiences, and knowledge in an interesting way. Interesting public speaking topics can range from controversial to informative, from historical to present day, from fun to serious. When selecting a topic , it’s important to consider the interests of your audience as well as what you can provide appropriate supporting information on. Controversial or opinion-based topics can be engaging, but it’s important that all sides of the argument are presented fairly and no one in the audience is disparaged or excluded. Additionally, providing both sides of an argument here helps inform your audience and may even expose them to different perspectives. Informative topics are great for teaching audiences about specific subjects or movements, while delivering the information in an entertaining and interesting way. Explain how each piece fits into the bigger picture and build suspense throughout your talk. Additionally, if you have personal stories associated with the topic, by all means include them; these stories help make your presentation more memorable and engaging for your audience. Historical topics provide excellent fodder for a public speaking engagement; beyond teaching about specific events that occurred in our past, you can also shed light on important dates in history or major events of the past century. Providing context helps bring to life lessons from those points in time that still influence us today. Current events are also great platforms for public speaking – highlighting what is happening now provides a powerful connection between speaker and audience as everyone is probably equally (or almost equally) knowledgeable about it—and if not? You get to teach them! When presenting current events as your topic, make sure you use up-to-date sources and highlight any compliance changes or other political matters that could affect your audience directly. Now let’s move on to discuss current events as an interesting public speaking topic…

Current Events

When it comes to public speaking, current events make for a highly engaging topics. Depending on the agenda and purpose of the speech, current events can be used either to inform and educate the audience or to galvanize support and motivate action. When dealing with current events, speakers should strive to remain impartial while bringing forth both sides of the argument. For example, if the event is to discuss international trade policy in light of recent tariffs disputes between major trading partners, speakers should present both advantages and disadvantages of increased tariffs. Understanding the core issue at hand without commenting on the efficacy of each side’s policies is key in order to maintain an impartial outlook. Similarly, when addressing a complex social issue like discrimination against minority groups or income equality, it is important to provide a sober and nuanced overview of the issue while ensuring that all sides are properly represented. Naturally, as certain issues become particularly salient in the public debate , more detailed analysis may be necessary in order to provide a full account of the situation. With that said, presenters must always exercise caution when discussing hot-button topics so as not to alienate any portion of their audience. Finally, speakers may choose to conclude their discussion by proposing a plan for action or connecting their topic with wider implications for society. As such, choosing current events as one’s topic allows for an opportunity to create real change that can have tangible benefits for members of their audience. With this potential impact in mind, let us now explore creative ideas that are just as interesting but offer a different approach.

10 Current Events Topics

  • COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society, economy, and healthcare systems
  • Climate change and environmental issues, including wildfires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels
  • Global politics and international relations, including tensions between countries and geopolitical conflicts
  • Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, automation, and the future of work
  • Social justice movements, including Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, and their impact on society
  • Mental health and wellbeing, including the effects of the pandemic on mental health and access to mental health services
  • Education and the challenges of remote learning and hybrid learning models
  • Immigration and refugee crises, including the global response and the impact on individuals and communities
  • Economic inequality and the wealth gap, including the effects of the pandemic on job losses and income disparities
  • The role of media and technology in shaping public opinion and discourse, including issues of censorship and misinformation.

Fun Public Speaking Topics

Public speaking can be an incredibly effective method of communication and expressing ideas to an audience. When selecting a topic for a public speaking event, it is important to choose one that will be engaging, exciting and entertaining . Fun public speaking topics are a great way to captivate your audience’s attention. Some fun topics popular today include conspiracy theories, humorous anecdotes and weird trivia questions. In addition to topics that can evoke laughter, you could opt for a conversation-like approach by selecting topics tailored towards discussing or debating current events or pop culture trends. This type of discussion creates a sense of involvement amongst your listeners, as they are likely to have their own opinions on the subject matter at hand. Knowing the interests of your audience makes it easier to pick one of these types of interesting conversation starters. Yet another type of enjoyable public speaking topic is one related to personal experience. By sharing stories from your own life you can create a connection with your audience because they realize you are not only knowledgeable about academic subjects but also about human experiences. For example, you could talk about how traveling abroad changed your perspective or how volunteer work with animals opened up new opportunities in your life. No matter what route you take, having a fun element in each speech encourages conversations , making it more engaging for the listener.

Here are 10 fun topics for public speaking:

  • The science of laughter and how it can improve mental and physical health
  • The history of popular board games and how they have evolved over time
  • The art of cake decorating and how to create beautiful and delicious desserts
  • The world of cosplay and the art of creating intricate costumes
  • The benefits of travel and tips for planning the perfect vacation
  • The world of online gaming and the rise of esports
  • The history of memes and how they have impacted popular culture
  • The art of mixology and how to make creative cocktails at home
  • The joys and challenges of pet ownership and the benefits of having a furry friend
  • The world of improv comedy and how to master the art of improvisation.

These fun public speaking topics spark imagination and interest from all those involved in the discussion. While brainstorming ideas, it is important to keep in mind that the topic should contain enough material to elaborate upon while maintaining a lighthearted spirit; balance is key!

Controversial Public Speaking Topics

Controversial public speaking topics can be excellent ways to engage your audience and spark a lively discussion. It is best to keep the language used respectful, as well as being mindful of the makeup of the audience you are presenting to. Popular controversial public speaking topics range from opinions about current events and politics, religion, gender roles and LGBTQ issues, amongst other things. When debating each side of the argument, it is important to make sure that one doesn’t invalidate or insult the opposing views.

Here are 10 controversial public speaking topics:

  • Gun control and the right to bear arms
  • Abortion and reproductive rights
  • Capital punishment and the death penalty
  • Immigration policy and border control
  • Affirmative action and equal opportunity employment
  • LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality
  • The legalization of marijuana and other drugs
  • Animal rights and animal testing
  • Freedom of speech and hate speech laws
  • Climate change and the role of humans in causing and combating it.

No matter which topic you decide to explore, controversial public speaking topics provide a great opportunity for learning experiences. With great research beforehand, ambitious speakers can use these occasions to inform their audiences in meaningful ways. Moving on to the next section, motivational public speaking topics have become increasingly popular within the last several years. This type of speech aims to inspire its audience by inciting positive feelings and emotions while promoting an inspiring idea or action plan.

Key Points to Remember

Controversial public speaking topics can be engaging to an audience, but the language used should remain respectful regardless of opinions held. Popular topics include current events, politics, religion, gender roles, and LGBTQ issues. When debating both sides of a controversial argument, it is important not to insult or invalidate another viewpoint. Controversial public speaking gives speakers a great opportunity to enhance learning experiences with thorough research and information .

Motivational Public Speaking Topics

Motivation is a powerful tool that can influence and inspire people to realize their potential and reach unseen levels of success. When applied effectively, motivational public speaking topics can be incredibly impactful and help an audience take action on ideas they can implement in their daily life. The key to delivering an effective motivational talk is to focus on the idea of progress. Talk about how something good can be accomplished over time if dedication and hard work are continually applied. Present stories of real-life successes, as well as struggles, to illustrate these points and increase the audience’s engagement level. Make sure to inject positive energy into your speech by outlining strategies the audience can use to stay motivated while achieving their goals. By presenting topics in a motivational manner, you can help ensure that members of your audience feel encouraged, empowered, and inspired. If you are debating a controversial topic, make sure to present both sides of the argument within the same motivating framework.

Here are 10 motivational public speaking topics:

  • Overcoming obstacles and achieving success
  • Finding purpose and meaning in life
  • Building self-confidence and self-esteem
  • The power of perseverance and determination
  • Mindfulness and living in the present moment
  • Overcoming fear and taking risks
  • The importance of setting and achieving goals
  • Turning setbacks into opportunities for growth
  • Developing a positive mindset and attitude
  • The benefits of gratitude and appreciation in life.

Keeping these important principles in mind will allow you to deliver a compelling motivational presentation that helps your audience believe in themselves and develop clear directions for taking action. Taking the right steps today will bring better results tomorrow — this is a concept worth discussing during your talk.

Historical Topics for Public Speaking

History is a rich and complex tapestry of events, ideas, and movements that have shaped the world we live in today. Exploring historical topics can help us gain a deeper understanding of our collective past, and shed light on the challenges and triumphs of human experience. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Civil Rights Movement, there are countless historical topics that continue to fascinate and inspire us. In this list, we explore ten historical topics that offer a glimpse into the great events and movements that have shaped our world.

Here are 10 historical topics to talk about:

  • The fall of the Roman Empire and its impact on European civilization
  • The French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
  • The Industrial Revolution and its impact on society, economy, and technology
  • The American Revolution and the birth of the United States of America
  • The Renaissance and its impact on art, science, and culture
  • The colonization of the Americas and the impact on indigenous populations
  • The World Wars and their impact on global politics and international relations
  • The Age of Exploration and the impact of European colonization on the world
  • The Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial equality in the United States
  • The Cold War and the global tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Persuasive Speech Topics

Persuasive speeches are designed to convince the audience to take a particular action, adopt a certain viewpoint, or support a specific idea. These speeches can be powerful tools for effecting change and promoting important causes. From protecting the environment to advocating for social justice, persuasive speech topics cover a wide range of issues that are relevant to our world today. In this list, we explore ten persuasive speech topics that can inspire and motivate audiences to take action and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Here are 10 persuasive speech topics:

  • The importance of recycling and reducing waste to protect the environment
  • The benefits of meditation and mindfulness for mental health and well-being
  • The need for stricter gun control laws to reduce gun violence
  • The importance of early childhood education for future success
  • The benefits of a plant-based diet for health and the environment
  • The need to address income inequality through progressive taxation
  • The importance of access to affordable healthcare for all individuals
  • The need for comprehensive sex education in schools
  • The benefits of renewable energy sources for a sustainable future
  • The need for increased support for mental health resources and services

Public speaking is not always an easy task. Whether you are presenting a persuasive or informative speech, it can be difficult to keep your audience interested and engaged. In order to do this, it is essential to choose the appropriate public speaking topics. The fifty-plus interesting public speakings topics suggested in this article can provide plenty of inspiration and help you deliver a powerful message to your audience. Whether you take a light-hearted approach or focus on a more serious subject matter, picking the right public speaking topics can make all the difference. Larger philosophical questions may prove intimidating and impractical as public speaking topics, while trivial conversation starters may bore your audience before they even start listening. To get the most out of your speeches, it is important to pick a topic that walks the line between engaging your listeners without making them uncomfortable or unsure of how to respond. It is also imperative that you develop solid argumentation and presentation skills if you want to succeed in public speaking. An entertaining speech must still provide solid facts and evidence while at the same time grabbing the attention of your listeners. A good balance between interesting content and persuasive rhetoric should help make any speech successful.

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative public speaking topics.

Creative public speaking topics can range from the exploration of current trends, to unique takes on traditional topics. For example, if discussing the current state of education, one could focus on the trend of more expensive tuition for higher education and dive into the implications this has for students and the job market, or discuss emergent strategies for providing greater access to educational opportunities in economically disadvantaged areas. Additionally, one could explore the current technology landscape and how it will shape future generations, or investigate developments in artificial intelligence that are redefining our understanding of what “intelligence” means. One could also take a more artful approach to public speaking and open up a dialogue about the power of creativity in solving problems or elicit discussion around empathy as a form of communication. Ultimately, creative public speaking topics are limited only by creative thought and provide an exciting opportunity for speakers to present inspiring ideas in entertaining ways.

What are some tips for choosing public speaking topics?

Some tips for choosing public speaking topics include: 1. Choose topics that are relevant to your audience. Make sure the topic is of interest to them and will keep their attention. 2. Research the topic thoroughly before speaking. Knowing the subject matter well will make it easier to engage your audience. 3. Select a topic that is both challenging and interesting. While choosing a subject that people might be familiar with can be safe, make sure it is still engaging and stimulating. 4. Avoid topics that are too controversial or sensitive. Refrain from such topics as they could lead to arguments or displeasing reactions amongst the audience members. 5. Expand on popular material but don’t plagiarize other speakers’ ideas. People like new concepts and appreciate hearing new information so challenge yourself to come up with something original!

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

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

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

In this article:

High School

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

school speech topics

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

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

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

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

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

School speech topics tips for verification and 1-2-3 step checking at the secondary middle, high and elementary public speaking homework assignments on teaching skills. In a nutshell: they are easy to answer questions to make a better choice for creating the best result.

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

Let the imaginary juices flow in your brains!

Can We Write Your Speech?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 Tips to Write the Best High School Valedictorian Speech

Ceremonial Speech Topics

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

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

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

The key to success is positive thinking

My favorite holiday

Wow. Just wow.

mental health is an important issue

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

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

Why is the canteen so expensive?

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public speaking topics primary school

Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Teachers

Public speaking in primary schools

Public speaking resource developed by The Arts Unit

public speaking topics primary school

About this resource

The Arts Unit of the NSW Department of Education coordinates a number of public speaking competitions and events.

This website is a resource for teachers who are teaching or coordinating public speaking in a NSW school setting. Resources have been created with the intention of supporting teachers. All content should be considered as general advice only.

This resource is divided into 4 sections:

Learn about public speaking

Coordinating public speaking

Activities for building student confidence

Frequently asked questions

This resource can be used in sequence or you can select the buttons or hyperlinks to go to the sections of interest to you.

You can give feedback about this resource on the Feedback page .

Whiteboard which says 'words have power'.

Learn about public speaking provides teachers with information, advice and suggestions to support public speaking programs in school, including:

benefits of public speaking

types of speeches - prepared and impromptu

the 3 Ms of public speaking

best practice for teaching public speaking

syllabus links.

Select to go to Learn about public speaking

public speaking topics primary school

Coordinating public speaking provides teachers with information, advice and suggestions to support public speaking programs in school, including:

coordinating public speaking competitions in school

hosting a school final

adjudicating public speaking

public speaking competitions

teaching public speaking

Select to go to Coordinating public speaking

public speaking topics primary school

Activities for building student confidence provides teachers with a range of games to build confidence in your students or as fun brain breaks!

Select to go to Building confidence

public speaking topics primary school

Frequently asked questions provides answers and suggestions for all those common questions teachers have when coordinating public speaking in a primary school setting.

Select to go to Frequently asked questions

public speaking topics primary school

Resources for students

With any skill, the key to success is practice. It is important to allow your students plenty of opportunities to practise both prepared and impromptu speaking in class, prior to beginning a public speaking competition.

It is crucial to teach students how to prepare, write and present, both impromptu and prepared speeches. It is also important that students reflect on their own goals and successes throughout their public speaking journey. We recommend students have a small notebook they can use to write notes in and refer back to.

Hint: You can use the activities on this website as a guide for helping students learn strategies and develop their skills. The Arts Unit ha s developed a series of Creative Classes that you can use to support student learning. These can be completed in order, or as needed, based on the needs of your students.

public speaking topics primary school

This Creative Class explores:

teaching and introducing public speaking

activities and conversation starters

why public speaking is a good skill to learn

types of speeches

how public speaking competitions work.

The power of public speaking

public speaking topics primary school

performance poetry

slam poetry

Painting pictures with words

public speaking topics primary school

These 3 Creative Classes explore :

what is a prepared speech

the 3 Ms: matther, manner, method

reflecting on strengths and goals

skill building activities for prepared speeches.

Matter matters most

public speaking topics primary school

Speaking styles

public speaking topics primary school

Break it down

public speaking topics primary school

building skills in impromptu speaking

preparing impromptu speeches

building confidence

practising impromptu speaking

Incredible impromptus

public speaking topics primary school

I have confidence

public speaking topics primary school

Impressive impromptus

public speaking topics primary school

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16 Public Speaking Tips for Students

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

public speaking topics primary school

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

public speaking topics primary school

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

Public Speaking Tips

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

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

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

Tell Stories

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

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

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

Manage Your Anxiety

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

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

Press Play for Advice on Finding Courage

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

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Maintain Perspective

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

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

Be Confident

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

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

Don't Apologize

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

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

A Word From Verywell

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

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

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

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

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public speaking topics primary school

  • 7 Ways To Boost Public Speaking Skills In Primary

7 ways to boost public speaking skills in primary

public speaking topics primary school

Help children discover their public-speaking talents with these seven pro-speaker secrets to enhance their confidence and impact…

Graham Shaw

The ability to speak in public is a valuable life skill, but how well people do it is often a matter of chance.

Some people believe you can either do it or you can’t. But public speaking can be taught effectively.

In fact, some simple techniques can transform a talk, speech or presentation – and anyone can learn how to use them.

And what better place to learn than at primary school?

By teaching just a few professional speaker secrets to your class, you can help children to raise their game when speaking to groups.

Here’s how…

1 | Use the ‘magic structure’

Following a simple yet comprehensive structure ensures a logical sequence that will answer the key questions in the minds of any audience.

  • Why should the audience listen? Create curiosity
  • What is your key message? Introduce your topic with your main idea
  • How? Bring it to life with examples. Explain how it works
  • What if (problems)? Highlight concerns or risks
  • What if (benefits)? Summarise your key message. Ask for any action the audience should take. Highlight the positive difference these actions will make

2 | Add a little sparkle and drama

Include something memorable that will grab attention, especially at the start. It might be a magic trick, visual illusion, an amazing fact or use of a prop. Whatever the children choose to do, make sure they relate it to their talk so the audience can see its relevance.

3 | Use fewer words

Researchers at the University of New South Wales discovered that people cannot read and listen at the same time. If the children are preparing PowerPoint presentations to accompany their talk, a single word or key message will work fine because it can be read in seconds. Otherwise, they can use more pictures, such as photographs or diagrams, because the audience will find it easy to look at these and listen at the same time.

4 | Stand confidently

When speakers move around for no reason, it makes it harder for the audience to listen. Shifting around can also diminish the speaker’s credibility. Instead, children should stand upright with their feet hip-width apart with toes pointing slightly outwards and stay still, unless they have a good reason to move. By standing in this confident way, they will increase their confidence too.

5 | Use gestures

Using gestures to explain ideas makes it easier to explain things and the audience finds it easier to understand. Children should beware of keeping their arms constricted to their sides and making tiny gestures. Instead, they should open their arms and allow gestures to naturally occur.

6 | Make eye contact

Eye contact can make people feel special because it seems like you are speaking just to them. Rather than asking children to sweep from side to side, ask them to make eye contact randomly as this will look natural. If the group is too large to look at everyone individually, they can mentally divide the audience into smaller groups. When they look at one person in a group, everyone in that group will feel like they are looking at them.

7 | Slow down for emphasis, speed up for energy

Ask the children to speak at a natural conversational pace. They can slow down to emphasise points and speed up to add energy. Dropping their voices into a lower and more serious tone at the end of a sentence will give weight to an important point. Tell them to breathe deeply and project their voice, and increase clarity by sounding the beginnings and endings of words.

Enjoy seeing the difference

Whether children are speaking informally or on special occasions, there are numerous opportunities to practice. As you share these tips, they will learn to speak with confidence whatever the situation. The skills they develop will serve them throughout their lives.

Graham Shaw is a former deputy headteacher and of The Speaker’s Coach: 60 secrets to make your talk, speech or presentation amazing (available on Amazon). Find him at visionlearning.co.uk and follow him on Twitter at @grahamshawdraw . Browse more of our oracy resources .

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  • Impromptu public speaking topics

-200 first-rate impromptu speech topics 

By:  Susan Dugdale  

  • 50 impromptu topics
  • Yet another 50 random speech topics
  • Then 50 more good impromptu speech topics
  • And finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics.
  • Plus links to more impromptu speech topics and activities.

The topics cover a broad cross section of subject matter. Use them for table topics at your Toastmaster's Club, with your high school public speaking class as practice for debate competitions or, by yourself.

Some of them are quirky and funny.

Many are deliberately provocative to stimulate a response from both you, the speaker and, your audience!

Others are open-ended or neutral to allow whatever occurs in your mind to fit the topic. You could use those ones to tell a true story; a personal experience, share your personal bloopers, or talk about the meaning of life!

Any one of the 200 will make a good subject for an excellent impromptu speech.

These types of speeches, off the cuff and without much time to prepare, are a great way to polish communication skills. And, most importantly, they're fun!

Are you in a hurry & needing impromptu speech topics ready for use now?

Solve your problem in 5 minutes. Get the first list of 50 impromptu speech topics on this page plus 48 more in an instantly available print-and-go pdf. 50 + 48 = 98 impromptu speech topics!

Quick tips for practicing by yourself:

  • Choose a good topic, one that appeals to you from any one of the lists below.
  • Give yourself a strictly monitored preparation time of no more than one minute in which to note an opening, a couple of main points with examples and, a conclusion.
  • Deliver your speech while timing and, if possible, recording it. Aim to speak for a couple of minutes.
  • When you play the recording back, listen for speech structure, (Is there one?), content and fluency. Each of these combine to create the overall impact of your speech.

If you're using these impromptu speaking topics with a friend or in front of an audience in a classroom, use the same method but skip the recording.

Be sure though to allow enough time to give and receive feedback. Along with regular practice, it's a vital part of improving!

Ideally once you or your class has become more confident, you'll allow less preparation time.

The ultimate goal is to be given a speech topic, do some quick thinking and to begin speaking on the subject coherently and easily, almost immediately.

Traffic light on green -start your impromptu speech now!

Literally, you get given the topic, the green light, timer or stop watch is flicked on, you open your mouth and go!

Get help with impromptu speaking formats

If you've arrived at this page on impromptu public speaking topics without having seen my impromptu speaking tips page, pay a visit there too.

You'll get really useful information on structural patterns as well as delivery tips.

If you're new to making this kind of short duration speech, both will help a great deal.

The 7 patterns, in particular, are invaluable. They'll stop you from blundering aimlessly around blurting whatever occurs to you first! Something I remember doing quite frequently before I found them. ☺

Image: Opening screen of video 7 templates for impromptu speaking. Organize your speech quickly, easily and effectively.

Return to Top

50 impromptu public speaking topics

  • My biggest concern for the future is...
  • Real wealth is never measured in money or possessions.
  • Conservation is survival.
  • Real love is not the stuff of pop songs.
  • If I were an animal I'd be a...
  • Plants have feelings too.
  • Junk food's popularity relies on marketing.
  • To err is human. To forgive is divine. Discuss.
  • The world is a smaller place these days.
  • The more we communicate, the less we really say.
  • When I grow up...
  • The best letter of the alphabet is...
  • Goals are good for you.
  • The most important lesson of my life so far...
  • Intelligence is not enough.
  • If I ruled the world...
  • Color affects the way people feel.
  • Ill health begins in the mind.
  • Team sports build strong individuals.
  • Laughter is the best medicine.
  • Fools and their money are easily parted.
  • Discipline is not a dirty word.
  • Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
  • Children learn what they live with.
  • My favorite day of the year is...
  • What characteristics make an ideal hero and why?
  • What and who is an average person?
  • Being young is over-rated.
  • In what situation is lying a good idea?
  • Does money make the world go round?
  • What human quality do we need more of and why?
  • Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
  • How we look is unimportant. It's who we are on the inside that counts.
  • Fashion victims I have known.
  • Pets are for people who don't have children.
  • Summer is the best and worst of times. Why?
  • The media controls how and what we think.
  • Advertising targeting children is immoral.
  • Talking to someone and talking with someone are two different activities.
  • Real learning doesn't occur in a classroom.
  • What would you rather be - wise or intelligent?
  • True wisdom comes from experience.
  • A sense of humor is essential.
  • Uniforms stifle individuality.
  • What is normal is decided by the society we live in.
  • Manners matter.
  • Children should not watch television.
  • Art is essential to life.
  • Cities are for people not cars.
  • Peace is possible.   

Grab 'n go for busy people - Printable Speech Topics

Impromptu Speech Topics on the RUN

Image: label with parchment paper background. Text: 98 Serendipity Selection Printable Speech Topic Cards

Get the first 50 topics on this page PLUS 48 more. It's a Serendipity (little-bit-of everything) Selection in an instantly available printable format: 14 topics per A4 page.

Preview an extract. See the 14 topics on page 5 of 7.

Image: Preview button

98 printable impromptu speech topics

Select, print, cut-and-GO!

50 excellent random impromptu speech topics

Here's the second list of 50. If a topic ends with an ellipsis, (...), replace it with a word or phrase of your choice.

E.g. 'I wish I was...' might become 'I wish I was sitting on a beach with my best friend.', or 'I wish I was more courageous.'

  • What has more impact? Being beautiful or being kind?
  • I wish I was...
  • The color yellow reminds of...
  • Swear words are satisfying to say.
  • Share one important memory.
  • What have you said that you immediately regretted?
  • Explain how to withstand peer group pressure.
  • The only certainties in life are death and taxes.
  • Nationalism fuels wars.
  • Doing what you want, when you want, does not build character.
  • Every woman needs a husband.
  • Love is exploited by manufacturers and shopkeepers.
  • The Christmas season has been hijacked for profit.
  • Vital medicines should be free.
  • Social service should be compulsory.
  • Being poor is not a crime.
  • Love is not always the answer.
  • What does it mean to be in a black mood?
  • We should have Thanksgiving every day.
  • When is stealing necessary?
  • What is unforgivable?
  • Being wrong is good for us.
  • Who is the enemy? Why?
  • Ignorance is a root cause of violence.
  • What I loved doing most as a kid.
  • A saying I’ll never forget is...
  • The most important lesson I learned from my mother.
  • What foreign language should we learn.
  • If you could be a famous person for a day who would you be?
  • The silliest thing I ever saw.
  • An idea is never original.
  • Copying other people is not bad. It’s the way we learn.
  • Social media is both good and bad.
  • The item I value most.
  • We procrastinate because we are fearful of being wrong.
  • Learning not to pre-judge a person is very difficult.
  • The last book I read.
  • My favorite time of the day.
  • If I changed my name I’d change it to...
  • People in my family never...
  • Something I want to believe in but can’t.
  • Becoming educated is a life-long mission.
  • Learning to be grateful for what we have makes us happier.
  • Sexual predation is never acceptable.
  • Real friends love us, despite our faults.
  • How to tell the difference between real and fake news.
  • Describe an everyday miracle.
  • Being different makes the world a richer place.
  • Green washing is a modern crime.
  • The contents of my bathroom cupboard.

Another 50 good impromptu speech topics

And here's the third list!

  • Comfort food: what is the food that makes you feel good.
  • How I got my name and what it means.
  • What would happen if I had to be without my phone.
  • An everyday hero.
  • What qualities makes a person a leader?
  • It’s OK to be wrong and it’s OK to fail.
  • My favorite clothes: what are they, and why have you chosen them.
  • My favorite song: what it is, and why is it your favorite.
  • My favorite place: the place where I feel best.
  • The worst food I’ve ever eaten.
  • My favorite season of the year.
  • How being locked down over Covid has changed how we learn.
  • How the Covid pandemic changed my life.
  • What country I want to visit and why.
  • How to break a bad habit.
  • The best trick I ever played.
  • A skill I want to learn.
  • The difference between liking and loving someone.
  • Why keeping up with national and international news is important.
  • The sport that seems strangest to me.
  • Cars reflect their owners.
  • The clouds in the sky sometimes remind me of...
  • We need to take cyber-security seriously.
  • How can you tell if someone is telling a lie.
  • Trees communicate with each other.
  • What I collect, and why.
  • Curiosity underpins inventions.
  • I wish someone would explain to me why...
  • What I am most proud of about myself.
  • If you could go back in time, what time and event would you return to?
  • Three convincing reasons for not completing your homework.
  • Tell two truths and one lie. Ask the audience to pick the lie.
  • Why is it important to look someone in the eye?
  • What is the absolutely best way to relax?
  • Is there truth in the saying: “Clothes make the man”?
  • In what ways can sport be seen as a religion?
  • The three most annoying habits of people in my family.
  • How to sound and act like an expert.
  • Is it immoral for the immensely wealthy not to use their money to help people living in poverty?
  • Is there any truth in the saying: “Fake it until you make it”?
  • Why do some people behave as if they are superior to others?
  • My secret ambition is to become...
  • Name three words setting your peer group and generation apart from your parent’s generation? Eg. GOAT, dope, sick. What do they mean? How are they used?
  • Why girls should be allowed to play contact sports.
  • Why vaping should be banned along with cigarettes.
  • Why is it important to vote?
  • Who is the best person you have ever met? Why are they the best?
  • What would you do if you could do anything?
  • Explain these sayings: “take a chill pill” and “all that glitters is not gold”.
  • In what major ways has the world changed in the last 20 years?

Finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics

  • What I wish I'd said. Responses I would have given if I was quick enough.
  • If you could choose a theme song, what would yours be and why?
  • If my pet could talk, this is what they'd say about me.
  • If you ran the news outlets, what would your top headlines for today be?
  • Tell us about the worst hair cut you ever had.
  • What clothing choices have you made in the past that you now regret?
  • If you were a hero for the day, what would you do?
  • Why does Murphy's Law (Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) kick in when we're under pressure? 
  • What kinds of things are you a secret snob about?
  • Three reasons why I decided to take up extreme knitting.
  • Why sports cars should only be driven by young beautiful people.
  • What are the worst chores you've ever had to do around your home.
  • What is the funniest personal habit you've witnessed in your friends or family?
  • Three funny facts about your home country.
  • What's wrong with saving the best for last?
  • The best trick that's ever been played on me.
  • The real reasons why I decided to become a pop star.
  • Which celebrity would you invite to dinner?
  • What 'funny story' gets told over and over again in your family?
  • What food did you dislike the most as a child and why?
  • What's the silliest situation you've even been in?
  • Share an amusing situation where you read someone's body language wrongly.
  • What eccentric habits are you going to adopt?
  • If you could become someone else, who would you be and why?
  • What three things bore you the most?
  • What personal habit has caused you the most trouble?
  • Why is your daily horoscope always right?
  • What is the best day of the week, and why?
  • How to become an expert procrastinator.
  • Three things I wish my mother had told me.
  • Fascinating trivia - the useless facts I know.
  • How to recover from embarrassing yourself publicly. 
  • What's the real story behind the saying: "to beat around the bush" or "to take the cake"?
  • What would you invent if you could?
  • If you could meet a person from the past, who would it be, and why? 
  • What's your three top tips for living well?
  • If you could only have the same food every day, what would you choose?
  • What happened on your best 'worst' date?
  • The top ways to make people like you. 
  • The real reasons why people do not talk to each other on public transport.
  • The reasons why I will bequeath my fortune to my cat.
  • What item of clothing do you own that makes you feel good?
  • If you had a personal logo, what would it be? 
  • What words or phrases do people use that let us know who they mix with, and how old they are?
  • What is the silliest or most trivial problem you currently have?
  • If 'looks can kill', who would you most like to see in front of you and why? 
  • What thing have you kept for sentimental reasons? Why?
  • What words do people frequently use that annoy you immensely?
  • What is something you've misplaced or lost that had inconvenient consequences?
  • What online sites frequently cause you to lose track of time?   

EVEN MORE good impromptu speech topics!

10+ themed sets of fun impromptu speech topics fresh from the creative, wild and wacky department! 

If you're looking for inspiration for your public speaking class or you need table topics for Toastmasters, these are contagiously silly subjects:  lighthearted and nonsensical. (Like the bumper sticker wisdom quote illustrated below.)

Fun Impromptu Speech Topics   to get them laughing - the best way to learn ☺

Image: graduates in blue gowns. Text: Always remember you are unique. Just like everyone else.

Here's four themed sets of 20 table topic questions : Christmas, music, life-lessons and thought-provoking topic ideas. There's a printable for each set, plus an overview of table topics: its benefits, how a Toastmasters table topics session is run, what makes a good topic, the value of feedback, and more. 

Image: graphic of 4 people with 4 speech bubbles. Text: Table topics Toastmasters What, how, why, who and 80 plus topic ideas.

Another option are these 150 1 minute speech topics . They are split into 3 groups of 50: those suitable for kids, 50 work/career themed suggestions and another 50 just for fun. You'll also find 3 sample speech outlines and example speeches: text and audio. Plus a free printable speech outline.                

Image: Cartoon style clock face. Text: From zero to hero in 60 seconds. 150 one minute speech topics.

See example impromptu speech outlines

Click for example impromptu speech outlines . See how to take a topic and develop it into an outline for a speech. You'll find e xamples of seven different structural patterns: PREP, Problem - Solution, Cause - Effect - Remedy, Before - The Event - The Result, Past - Present - Future, and two more.

Each comes with a printable outline for your own use, which seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? In the same league as 'lead balloon' and 'civil war'. When did war become civil, or balloons filled with lead actually fly? They didn't.

Impromptu speaking and completing an outline only makes sense if you regard the outline as tool to help you commit the pattern to memory. Once you've got it, you'll no longer need to write your key points and their transitions out.

Go to impromptu speech outline patterns .

Banner: 7 impromptu speech outline patterns, completed examples plus printable outlines

Fun activities for practicing impromptu speaking

Image: a red cabbage - an unlikely candidate for an interview however in this public speaking game anything is possible.

For more impromptu speaking practice ideas visit this page of public speaking games . 

While some of these activities are drama based you'll find all 10 of them useful and FUN! They are especially good if you're a teacher looking for ideas to help you plan impromptu public speaking lessons for your class.

The One Minute Speeches activity featured below is included in the collection however it's minus the pdf of instructions, game variations and printable topics.

One minute speeches - 368 topics + instructions!

Image: Banner saying write-out-loud, One Minute Speeches

368 topics, instructions for introducing and running a session on One Minute Speeches, plus activity variations in an instantly available format. A great reusable impromptu speaking resource for busy teachers! Have a look: One Minute Speeches

Impromptu speech activities bundle

And for those of you who want more than one activity check out this  comprehensive bundle of   17 proven fun and effective impromptu speech activities , complete with full guidelines and printables. 

Image: colorful label for ebook  Text: 17 fun effective impromptu speech activities

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public speaking topics primary school

Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition

  • Visit the Speaking Comps Hub

This competition encourages primary school students to explore ideas of multiculturalism in Australia while they practise their public speaking skills and improve their confidence.

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Latest news

Entries in the 2024 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition have now clsoed, and we're working on the draws for the local finals, which will run in the last 4 weeks of Term 2. We'll notify teachers of the date and venue we've assigned them to as soon as possible. You can read more about how things work below, and you can also access that information as a PDF by downloading the  2024 Multicultural Perspectives Information Guide (PDF 674.12 KB)

Competition information

Welcome to the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition! For 29 years this competition has been encouraging primary school students to explore multiculturalism in Australia while they practise their public speaking skills and improve their confidence. Every year around 2,000 students are chosen to represent their schools in the local finals, which in 2024 will again be running live and face-to-face all around the state (though there will of course be the option to compete online if the nearest final is too far away or your students have a date clash). Best of luck to everyone – we can’t wait to hear your ideas!

Who can enter the competition?

How do schools enter the competition, how much does entry cost.

  • What are the 2024 prepared speech topics?

What are the speaking requirements?

What are the rules of the competition, additional support for students, what are the adjudicators looking for, how does the competition run, what are the prizes, who are the organisers of the competition.

  • Watch past finals

The Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition is open to all NSW government primary schools. The competition has two different age divisions – one for Years 3 and 4 students and one for Years 5 and 6 students. Schools can enter up to two contestants in each of the age divisions, totalling four contestants overall.

You can enter the competition using the red button above. Entries should be submitted before the close of business on Friday 22 March 2024. Please ensure that you include contact details for the teacher who will be looking after the entry.

The entry fee for the competition is $25.00 per contestant, which means a maximum of $100.00 per school. Schools will automatically be debited for this amount once they submit their entry form. Please advise your school’s finance department that this will occur, and note that fees are due on entry and can’t be refunded even where students subsequently withdraw.

What are the 2024 prepared speech topics?

At each stage of the competition, contestants present both a prepared speech and an impromptu speech. For their prepared speech, contestants must choose a topic from the list at the bottom of the next page. The prepared speech must convey a multicultural message. The impromptu speech topic will be on a general, non-multicultural theme, and contestants will have 5 minutes to write their impromptu speeches, starting with only blank palm cards and paper. The speaking times are outlined below. Note that speakers are expected to finish at or just beyond the official, speaking time, and it will be considered poor timing to reach the continuous bell.

Other than the entry rules and speaking times detailed above, it should also be noted that contestants are not allowed to use any props or external aids, such as PowerPoint presentations during their speeches. They are encouraged to speak from palm cards and must present without a lectern or microphone. Finally, a reminder that the prepared speech must explore multiculturalism.

The Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition is an inclusive competition. If, for whatever reason, your students will require support to enable them to participate, please contact the Speaking Competitions Officer so that we can assist.

The adjudicators will make their decision based on the matter, manner and method of the speakers. They will expect contestants to be confident and engaging and will prefer speeches which balance personal opinion with information and humour with sincerity. The prepared speeches need to show an understanding of multiculturalism, but the impromptu speeches do not. Finally, adjudicators will give equal consideration to the prepared and impromptu speeches. We recommend that speakers download the 2024 Multicultural Perspectives Speaker Advice (PDF 1.88 MB) for more detailed advice on speech writing and presentation in this competition.

Schools will likely need to conduct their own internal competition to select their two representatives for each age division. Next, we’ll let you know the date and venue of the local final we’ve assigned you to. Local finals will run in the last 4 weeks of Term 2 at host schools, but we’ll hold online finals if changing health advice requires it or for speakers who can’t travel to their nearest final. The winners of local finals will proceed to regional finals, which will be held in the second half of August. Regional winners will go on to compete at the state finals, which will run in late October for Years 3 and 4 and mid-November for Years 5 and 6.

All contestants involved in the competition will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation. Certificates of congratulations will then be awarded to all local and regional winners. State finalists will receive a silver medallion, and the state winners in each division will receive a gold medallion and a perpetual trophy.

The Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition is organised by the Arts Unit and the Multicultural Education team, both from the NSW Department of Education. In addition, the competition is made possible by the funding of the Multicultural Education team.

Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition 2018 – Promo

Duration: 2:29

Attachments

  • 2024 Multicultural Perspectives Information Guide (PDF 674.12 KB)
  • 2024 Multicultural Perspectives Speaker Advice (PDF 3.98 MB)
  • 2024 Multicultural Perspectives Participation Certificate (PDF 1.26 MB)
  • Hall of fame – debating, public speaking and spelling
  • Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition finals – videos

Watch the 2023 state finals

Years 3 and 4.

Duration: 1:02:57

After tens of thousands of students tried out for a chance to represent their schools, and more than 2,000 of them went on to compete at one of 81 local finals across NSW, the 10 best speakers in Years 3 and 4 made it through to this state final, which was held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre on Friday 20 October. Each speaker presents a 3-minute prepared speech about multiculturalism and then a 1-minute impromptu with only 5 minutes of preparation. Congratulations to these finalists and to all the students who participated in 2023, and a massive thanks to the Multicultural Education team of the NSW Department of Education, whose support and funding have kept this competition running throughout its 28 years.

Years 5 and 6

Duration: 1:23:08

After tens of thousands of students tried out for a chance to represent their schools, and more than 2,000 of them went on to compete at one of 81 local finals across NSW, the 10 best speakers in years 5 and 6 made it through to this state final, which was held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre on Friday 17 November. Each speaker presents a 4-minute prepared speech about multiculturalism and then a 2-minute impromptu with only 5 minutes of preparation. Congratulations to these finalists and to all the students who participated in 2023, and a massive thanks to the Multicultural Education team of the NSW Department of Education, whose support and funding have kept this competition running throughout its 28 years.

Watch more finals

Related digital resources

The Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition encourages primary school students to explore ideas of multiculturalism in Australia, as well as giving them a place to practice their public speaking skills and improve their confidence.

Public speaking in primary schools

Impressive impromptus.

Captivate your audience with impressive impromptu speeches

Examining prepared and impromptu speeches

The 2024 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition is proudly supported by the department's Multicultural Education Team and ACCO Brands Australia .

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Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

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The art of developing debating skills.

9 May, 2024 by Expat Living 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/debating-skills-public-speaking-how-to-debate/

We chat with coach GREG FORSE from Debate HK and find out why there’s a lot more to developing debating skills than just public speaking and winning an arguments. And we delve into why debating is important for students and can give them a significant boost in life and learning.

After completing his first debate at a young age at school in Hong Kong (topic: “That the US should not have dropped the Hiroshima bomb”), Greg Forse went on to represent the HK national team at the world championships in Canada, before becoming national coach in 2008 – a position he held for 11 years. He has also judged both the world championship final and the world individual public speaking final in the debating category.

Today, along with coaching at the German Swiss International School (currently the reigning Junior and Senior champions in Hong Kong), Greg heads up Debate HK, which offers debating and public speaking coaching from introductory to advanced level.

Debating skills, Debate HK

Tell us why debating is important for students to get involved in?

Debating is in my opinion one of the key skills that students need, and yet it isn’t taught (or isn’t taught meaningfully) in schools. In a world consumed with misinformation, polarisation and a proclivity to confuse volume with substance, the need to be able to think critically, logically evaluate and remain informed is paramount.

From building logically coherent arguments, relating them to the real world and critically evaluating why they fail, debate is a fun, team-based and highly engaging method of competitive thought. Students really enjoy debates and dipping their toes into the never-ending pool of arguments, issues and perspectives that it offers. It’s also a fantastic tool for social interaction, social empathy and social perspective. You debate every day with people who are just like you, about people who are nothing like you and are often judged by someone who is somewhere in the middle. Once that flame is lit, it rarely goes out.

What are some debating skills?

Good debaters are a truly bizarre mix of many qualities, but if I were to distil it down to a few things, they might surprise:

  • Curiosity. A genuine desire to see the world around you more clearly and accept that there will always be far more to know than you know now.
  • Imagination. The ability to see things as real from inside your own head. Being able to hypothesise and think in abstract and hypothetical terms is critical.
  • Hard work. You have to practice (like, a lot).
  • Confidence. You have to be willing to give it a go and not hide from failure.
  • Humility. You must also be willing to identify what you need to do to improve.

Can someone be a debater if they find public speaking a challenge?

Public speaking is usually right at the top of most people’s worst fears. It has been shown to trigger the same fight or flight reflex as being attacked by a wild animal.

In my experience, everyone fears something relating to public speaking, whether it’s the act, the perception, the possible failures or the fact that it will end. However, none of these are obstacles to debate.

Debate is a bizarre space that is rendered safe by its pressures – no one knows the answer, everyone is under prepared, no one is serious in what they say and everyone just has to give it their best shot. Many excellent debaters had terrible public speaking skills when they started, but it’s something that you overcome along the way.

What does the structure of a school debate look like in 2024, and what kinds of topics are debated?

School debates vary by format. Some are British Parliamentary debates (four teams of two) and some are WSDC debates (two teams of three). The formats may change but the basic expectations on teams to offer arguments, rebut and ask points of information are fairly standard across them.

Topics vary from simple social issues such as whether to ban smoking, to complex philosophical ones such as whether higher primates should be deserving of basic human rights.

Tell us a bit about Debate HK and the services you offer.

Debate HK opened its new premises in Sheung Wan in the summer of 2022 and immediately began to enjoy great reviews from students and parents. We are unique in being the first and only dedicated speech and debating centre in Hong Kong. We broke away from the integrated educational model used by other centres where debate was simply one service among many others and focused solely on it.

A large and literally immovable podium sits squarely at the back of our largest debate room as a symbol of our specific commitment to it. We offer many services to our students including regular debate classes, regular public speaking classes, a “speech and thought” fundamentals class for younger students (7 to 10 years) as well as team training for tournaments, one-on-one fundamentals coaching, arranging online guest lectures from the cream of the world’s debating community (including national coaches and university A team speakers), and much more.

What does a typical lesson look like?

A typical lesson will usually involve a skill development activity and a discussion at the beginning relating to an argument, issue or technical skill. We will then prep and hold the debate, providing detailed feedback and then assigning homework where necessary.

Public speaking

What debating skills can students expect to develop through your lessons?

We pride ourselves on being able to achieve a few very important things for our students. The first is obviously a love of debate and speech. It is no exaggeration to say that we have a turnover of near zero. Our students almost never quit, and based on the reports from parents, this is in part due to the environment we create. We like to think of ourselves as a big family and the work our senior students put in to helping the younger ones grow is really exceptional.

We also provide direct contact for all students to the biggest three things they need to grow as debaters: coaching from our instructors with decades of experience working with kids and understanding their developmental needs, lectures from the best of the global debate community, and tournament experience.

At the very least, you’ll have fun, learn a lot and get better at debate. At most, you could end up discovering a talent that will literally change your life.

Can you touch on a few of the milestones Debate HK students have gone on to achieve?

Our former students have been named in the top 10 speakers in the world no less than six times! Last year, the Hong Kong national team had three out of five former Debate HK students on it, and in tournaments we comfortably outperform all other HK institutions. Taking simply the most recent tournament we attended, the 2024 Indo-Pacific WSDC event hosted by India, Debate HK made the open grand final, knocking out national teams in the process, losing a very close final to team Singapore. Our under-14 teams also blew everyone away, with one team being named champion and seven of the top ten speakers being our students, including the best under-14 speaker.

Debate HK is at 1502, Arion Commercial Centre, 2-12 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan. Find out more here

This article about learning debating skills at Debate HK first appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.

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The Protesters and the President

Over the past week, thousands of students protesting the war in gaza have been arrested..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

Free, free, Palestine!

Free, free Palestine!

Free, free, free Palestine!

Over the past week, what had begun as a smattering of pro-Palestinian protests on America’s college campuses exploded into a nationwide movement —

United, we’ll never be defeated!

— as students at dozens of universities held demonstrations, set up encampments, and at times seized academic buildings.

[PROTESTERS CLAMORING]:

response, administrators at many of those colleges decided to crack down —

Do not throw things at our officers. We will use chemical munitions that include gas.

— calling in local police to carry out mass detentions and arrests. From Arizona State —

In the name of the state of Arizona, I declare this gathering to be a violation of —

— to the University of Georgia —

— to City College of New York.

[PROTESTERS CHANTING, “BACK OFF”]:

As of Thursday, police had arrested 2,000 students on more than 40 campuses. A situation so startling that President Biden could no longer ignore it.

Look, it’s basically a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of what’s right. There’s the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos.

Today, my colleagues Jonathan Wolfe and Peter Baker on a history-making week. It’s Friday, May 3.

Jonathan, as this tumultuous week on college campuses comes to an end, it feels like the most extraordinary scenes played out on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles, where you have been reporting. What is the story of how that protest started and ultimately became so explosive?

So late last week, pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles.

From the river to the sea!

Palestine will be free!

Palestine —

It was right in front of Royce Hall, which I don’t know if you are familiar with UCLA, but it’s a very famous, red brick building. It’s on all the brochures. And there was two things that stood out about this encampment. And the first thing was that they barricaded the encampment.

The encampment, complete with tents and barricades, has been set up in the middle of the Westwood campus. The protesters demand —

They have metal grates. They had wooden pallets. And they separated themselves from the campus.

This is kind of interesting. There are controlling access, as we’ve been talking about. They are trying to control who is allowed in, who is allowed out.

They sort of policed the area. So they only would let people that were part of their community, they said, inside.

I’m a UCLA student. I deserve to go here. We paid tuition. This is our school. And they’re not letting me walk in. Why can’t I go? Will you let me go in?

We’re not engaging with that.

Then you can move. Will you move?

And the second thing that stood out about this camp was that it immediately attracted pro-Israel counterprotesters.

And what did the leadership of UCLA say about all of this, the encampment and these counterprotesters?

So the University of California’s approach was pretty unique. They had a really hands-off approach. And they allowed the pro-Palestinian protesters to set up an encampment. They allowed the counterprotesters to happen. I mean, this is a public university, so anyone who wants to can just enter the campus.

So when do things start to escalate?

So there were definitely fights and scuffles through the weekend. But a turning point was really Sunday —

[SINGING IN HEBREW]:

— when this group called the Israeli American Council, they’re a nonprofit organization, organized a rally on campus. The Israeli American Council has really been against these pro-Palestinian protests. They say that they’re antisemitic. So this nonprofit group sets up a stage with a screen really just a few yards from the pro-Palestinian encampment.

We are grateful that this past Friday, the University of California, stated that they will continue to oppose any calls for boycott and divestment from Israel!

[PROTESTERS CHEERING]

And they host speakers and they held prayers.

Jewish students, you’re not alone! Oh, you’re not alone! We are right here with you! And we’re right here with you in until —

[WORDLESS SINGING]:

And then lots of other people start showing up. And the proximity between protesters and counterprotesters and even some agitators, makes it really clear that something was about to happen.

And what was that? What ended up happening?

On Monday night, a group of about 60 counterprotesters tried to breach the encampment there. And the campus police had to break it up. And things escalated again on Tuesday.

They stormed the barricades and it’s a complete riot.

[PROTESTER SHOUTING]:

Put it down! Put it down! Put it down!

I went to report on what happened just a few hours after it ended.

And I spoke to a lot of protesters. And I met one demonstrator, Marie.

Yeah, my first name is Marie. M-A-R-I-E. Last name, Salem.

And Marie described what happened.

So can you just tell me a little bit about what happened last night?

Last night, we were approached by over a hundred counterprotesters who were very mobilized and ready to break into camp. They proceeded to try to breach our barricades extremely violently.

Marie said it started getting out of hand when counterprotesters started setting off fireworks towards the camp.

They had bear spray. They had Mace. They were throwing wood and spears. Throwing water bottles, continuing fireworks.

So she said that they were terrified. It was just all hands on deck. Everyone was guarding the barricades.

Every time someone experienced the bear spray or Mace or was hit and bleeding, we had some medics in the front line. And then we had people —

And they said that they were just trying to take care of people who were injured.

I mean, at any given moment, there was 5 to 10 people being treated.

So what she described to me sounded more like a battlefield than a college campus.

And it was just a complete terror and complete abandonment of the university, as we also watched private security watch this the entire time on the stairs. And some LAPD were stationed about a football field length back from these counterprotesters, and did not make a single arrest, did not attempt to stop any violence, did not attempt to get in between the two groups. No attempt.

I should say, I spoke to a state authorities and eyewitnesses and they confirmed Marie’s account about what happened that night, both in terms of the violence that took place at the encampment and how law enforcement responded. So in the end, people ended up fighting for hours before the police intervened.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

So in her mind, UCLA’s hands-off approach, which seemed to have prevailed throughout this entire period, ends up being way too hands off in a moment when students were in jeopardy.

That’s right. And so at this point, the protesters in the encampment started preparing for two possibilities. One was that this group of counterprotesters would return and attack them. And the second one was that the police would come and try to break up this encampment.

So they started building up the barricades. They start reinforcing them with wood. And during the day, hundreds of people came and brought them supplies. They brought food.

They brought helmets, goggles, earplugs, saline solution, all sorts of things these people could use to defend themselves. And so they’re really getting ready to burrow in. And in the end, it was the police who came.

[PROTESTERS SHOUTING]:

So Wednesday at 7:00 PM, they made an announcement on top of Royce Hall, which overlooks the encampment —

— administrative criminal actions up to and including arrest. Please leave the area immediately.

And they told people in the encampment that they needed to leave or face arrest.

[DRUM BEATING]: [PROTESTERS CHANTING]

And so as night falls, they put on all this gear that they’ve been collecting, the goggles, the masks and the earplugs, and they wait for the police.

[DRUM BEATING]:

And so the police arrive and station themselves right in front of the encampment. And then at a certain point, they storm the back stairs of the encampment.

[PROTESTERS CHANTING]:

And this is the stairs that the protesters have been using to enter and exit the camp. And they set up a line. And the protesters do this really surprising thing.

The people united!

They open up umbrellas. They have these strobe lights. And they’re flashing them at the police, who just slowly back out of the camp.

[PROTESTERS CHEERING]:

And so at this point, they’re feeling really great. They’re like, we did it. We pushed them out of their camp. And when the cops try to push again on those same set of stairs —

[PROTESTER SHOUTS]:

Hold your ground!

— the protesters organized themselves with all these shields that they had built earlier. And they go and confront them. And so there’s this moment where the police are trying to push up the stairs. And the protesters are literally pushing them back.

Push them back! Push them back!

Push them back!

And at a certain point, dozens of the police officers who were there, basically just turn around and leave.

So how does this eventually come to an end?

So at a certain point, the police push in again. Most of the conflict is centered at the front of these barricades. And the police just start tearing them apart.

[METAL CLANGING]

[CLAMORING]

They removed the front barricade. And in its place is this group of protesters who have linked arms and they’re hanging on to each other. And the police are trying to pull protesters one by one away from this group.

He’s just a student! Back off!

But they’re having a really hard time because there’s so many protesters. And they’re all just hanging on to each other.

We’re moving back now.

So at a certain point, one of the police officers started firing something into the crowd. We don’t exactly know what it was. But it really spooked the protesters.

Stop shooting at kids! Fuck you! Fuck them!

They started falling back. Everyone was really scared. The protesters were yelling, don’t shoot us. And at that point, the police just stormed the camp.

Get back. Get back.

Back up now!

And so after about four hours of this, the police pushed the protesters out of the encampment. They had arrested about 200 protesters. And this was finally over.

And I’m just curious, Jonathan, because you’re standing right there, you are bearing witness to this all, what you were thinking, what your impressions of this were.

I mean, I was stunned. These are mostly teenagers. This is a college campus, an institution of higher learning. And what I saw in front of me looked like a war zone.

[TENSE MUSIC]

The massive barricade, the police coming in with riot gear, and all this violence was happening in front of these red brick buildings that are famous for symbolizing a really open college campus. And everything about it was just totally surreal.

Well, Jonathan, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Thanks, Michael.

We’ll be right back.

Peter, around 10:00 AM on Thursday morning as the smoke is literally still clearing at the University of California Los Angeles, you get word that President Biden is going to speak.

Right, exactly. It wasn’t on his public schedule. He was about to head to Andrews Air Force base in order to take a trip. And then suddenly, we got the notice that he was going to be addressing the cameras in the Roosevelt Room.

They didn’t tell us what he was going to talk about. But it was pretty clear, I think. Everybody understood that it was going to be about these campus protests, about the growing violence and the clashes with police, and the arrests that the entire country had been watching on TV every night for the past week, and I think that we were watching just that morning with UCLA. And it reached the point where he just had to say something.

And why, in his estimation and those of his advisors, was this the moment that Biden had to say something?

Well, it kind of reached a boiling point. It kind of reached the impression of a national crisis. And you expect to hear your president address it in this kind of a moment, particularly because it’s about his own policy. His policy toward Israel is at the heart of these protests. And he was getting a lot of grief. He was getting a lot of grief from Republicans who were chiding him for not speaking out personally. He hadn’t said anything in about 10 days.

He’s getting a lot of pressure from Democrats, too, who wanted him to come out and be more forceful. It wasn’t enough, in their view, to leave it to his spokespeople to say something. Moderate Democrats felt he needed to come out and take some leadership on this.

And so at the appointed moment, Peter, what does Biden actually say in the Roosevelt Room of the White House?

Good morning.

Before I head to North Carolina, I wanted to speak for a few moments about what’s going on, on our college campuses here.

Well, it comes in the Roosevelt Room and he talks to the camera. And he talks about the two clashing imperatives of American principle.

The first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld.

One is freedom of speech. The other is the rule of law.

In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues. But, but, neither are we a lawless country.

In other words, what he’s saying is, yes, I support the right of these protesters to come out and object to even my own policy, in effect, is what he’s saying. But it shouldn’t trail into violence.

Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It’s against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses —

It shouldn’t trail into taking over buildings and obstructing students from going to class or canceling their graduations.

Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest. It’s against the law.

And he leans very heavily into this idea that what he’s seeing these days goes beyond the line.

I understand people have strong feelings and deep convictions. In America, we respect the right and protect the right for them to express that. But it doesn’t mean anything goes.

It has crossed into harassment and expressions of hate in a way that goes against the national character.

As president, I will always defend free speech. And I will always be just as strong and standing up for the rule of law. That’s my responsibility to you, the American people, and my obligation to the Constitution. Thank you very much.

Right, as I watched the speech, I heard his overriding message to basically be, I, the president of the United States, am drawing a line. These protests and counterprotests, the seizing and defacing of campus buildings, class disruption, all of it, name calling, it’s getting out of hand. That there’s a right way to do this. And what I’m seeing is the wrong way to do it and it has to stop.

That’s exactly right. And as he’s wrapping up, reporters, of course, ask questions. And the first question is —

Mr. President, have the protests forced you to reconsider any of the policies with regard to the region?

— will this change your policy toward the war in Gaza? Which, of course, is exactly what the protesters want. That’s the point.

And he basically says —

— no. Just one word, no.

Right. And that felt kind of important, as brief and fleeting as it was, because at the end of the day, what he’s saying to these protesters is, I’m not going to do what you want. And basically, your protests are never going to work. I’m not going to change the US’s involvement in this war.

Yeah, that’s exactly right. He is saying, I’m not going to be swayed by angry people in the streets. I’m going to do what I think is right when it comes to foreign policy. Now, what he thinks is that they’re not giving him enough credit for trying to achieve what they want, which is an end of the war.

He has been pressuring Israel and Hamas to come to a deal for a ceasefire that will, hopefully, in his view, would then lead to a more enduring end of hostilities. But, of course, this deal hasn’t gone anywhere. Hamas, in particular, seems to be resisting it. And so the president is left with a policy of arming Israel without having found a way yet to stop the war.

Right. I wonder, though, Peter, if we’re being honest, don’t these protests, despite what Biden is saying there, inevitably exert a kind of power over him? Becoming one of many pressures, but a pressure nonetheless that does influence how he thinks about these moments. I mean, here he is at the White House devoting an entire conversation to the nation to these campus protests.

Well, look, he knows this feeds into the political environment in which he’s running for re-election, in which he basically has people who otherwise might be his supporters on the left disenchanted with him. And he knows that there’s a cost to be paid. And that certainly, obviously, is in his head as he’s thinking about what to do.

But I think his view of the war is changing by the day for all sorts of reasons. And most of them having to do with realities on the ground. He has decided that Israel has gone far enough, if not too far, in the way it has conducted this operation in Gaza.

He is upset about the humanitarian crisis there. And he’s looking for a way to wrap all this up into a move that would move to peacemaking, beginning to get the region to a different stage, maybe have a deal with the Saudis to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for some sort of a two-state solution that would eventually resolve the Palestinian issue at its core.

So I think it’s probably fair to say that the protests won’t move him in an immediate kind of sense. But they obviously play into the larger zeitgeist of the moment. And I also think it’s important to know who Joe Biden is at heart.

Explain that.

He’s not drawn to activism. He was around in 1968, the last time we saw this major conflagration at Columbia University, for instance. At the time, Joe Biden was a law student in Syracuse, about 250 miles away. And he was an institutionalist even then.

He was just focused on his studies. He was about to graduate. He was thinking about the law career. And he didn’t really have much of an affinity, I think, for his fellow students of that era, for their activist way of looking at things.

He tells a story in his memoir about walking down a street in Syracuse one day to go to the pizza shop with some friends. And they walk by the administration building. And they see people hanging out of the windows. They’re hanging SDS banners. That’s the Students for a Democratic Society, which was one of the big activist groups of the era.

And he says, they were taking over the building. And we looked up and said, look at those assholes. That’s how far apart from the antiwar movement I was. That’s him writing in his memoir.

So to a young Joe Biden, those who devote their time and their energy to protesting the war are, I don’t need to repeat the word twice, but they’re losers. They’re not worth his time.

Well, I think it’s the tactics they’re using more than the goals that he disagreed with. He would tell you he disagreed with the Vietnam War. He was for civil rights. But he thought that taking over a building was performative, was all about getting attention, and that there was a better way, in his view, to do it.

He was somebody who wanted to work inside the system. He said in an interview quite a few years back, he says, look, I was wearing sports coats in that era. He saw himself becoming part of the system, not somebody trying to tear it down.

And so how should we think about that Joe Biden, when we think about this Joe Biden? I mean, the Joe Biden who, as a young man, looked upon antiwar protesters with disdain and the one who is now president and his very own policies have inspired such ferocious campus protests?

Yeah, that Joe Biden, the 1968 Joe Biden, he could just throw on a sports coat, go to the pizza shop with his friends, make fun of the activists and call them names, and then that’s it. They didn’t have to affect his life. But that’s not what 2024 Joe Biden can do.

Now, wherever he goes, he’s dogged by this. He goes to speeches and people are shouting at him, Genocide Joe! Genocide Joe! He is the target of the same kind of a movement that he disdained in 1968. And so as much as he would like to ignore it or move on or focus on other things, I think this has become a defining image of his year and one of the defining images, perhaps, of his presidency. And 2024 Joe Biden can’t simply ignore it.

Well, Peter, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Here’s what else you need to know today. During testimony on Thursday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, jurors heard a recording secretly made by Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, in which Trump discusses a deal to buy a woman’s silence. In the recording, Trump asks Cohen about how one payment made by Trump to a woman named Karen McDougal would be financed. The recording could complicate efforts by Trump’s lawyers to distance him from the hush money deals at the center of the trial.

A final thing to know, tomorrow morning, we’ll be sending you the latest episode from our colleagues over at “The Interview.” This week, David Marchese talks with comedy star Marlon Wayans about his new stand-up special.

It’s a high that you get when you don’t know if this joke that I’m about to say is going to offend everybody. Are they going to walk out? Are they going to boo me? Are they going to hate this. And then you tell it, and everybody cracks up and you’re like, woo.

Today’s episode was produced by Diana Nguyen, Luke Vander Ploeg, Alexandra Leigh Young, Nina Feldman, and Carlos Prieto. It was edited by Lisa Chow and Michael Benoist. It contains original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you on Monday.

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  • May 3, 2024   •   25:33 The Protesters and the President
  • May 2, 2024   •   29:13 Biden Loosens Up on Weed
  • May 1, 2024   •   35:16 The New Abortion Fight Before the Supreme Court
  • April 30, 2024   •   27:40 The Secret Push That Could Ban TikTok
  • April 29, 2024   •   47:53 Trump 2.0: What a Second Trump Presidency Would Bring
  • April 26, 2024   •   21:50 Harvey Weinstein Conviction Thrown Out
  • April 25, 2024   •   40:33 The Crackdown on Student Protesters
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Featuring Jonathan Wolfe and Peter Baker

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Over the past week, students at dozens of universities held demonstrations, set up encampments and, at times, seized academic buildings. In response, administrators at many of those colleges decided to crack down and called in the local police to detain and arrest demonstrators.

As of Thursday, the police had arrested 2,000 people across more than 40 campuses, a situation so startling that President Biden could no longer ignore it.

Jonathan Wolfe, who has been covering the student protests for The Times, and Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent, discuss the history-making week.

On today’s episode

public speaking topics primary school

Jonathan Wolfe , a senior staff editor on the newsletters team at The New York Times.

public speaking topics primary school

Peter Baker , the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times covering President Biden and his administration.

A large crowd of people in a chaotic scene. Some are wearing police uniforms, other are wearing yellow vests and hard hats.

Background reading

As crews cleared the remnants of an encampment at U.C.L.A., students and faculty members wondered how the university could have handled protests over the war in Gaza so badly .

Biden denounced violence on campus , breaking his silence after a rash of arrests.

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Jonathan Wolfe is a senior staff editor on the newsletters team at The Times. More about Jonathan Wolfe

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  1. These 108 Speech topics make great formal/prepared and impromptu

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  3. Public Speaking Presentation Rubric (teacher made)

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COMMENTS

  1. 30 Engaging Speech Topics for Kids: Boosting Confidence and Public

    Public speaking often looms as a daunting fear for countless kids, and truth be told, it was once a mountain I had to climb myself. Through a blend of dedicated research and navigating my own journey, I've unearthed pivotal strategies that revolutionized not just my skillset but my self-assurance too.. This article is set to share 30 captivating speech topics designed to elevate kids ...

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    Here is a broad range of speech topics for kids you can choose from. Family and Friends ... I'm doing this for a Public Speaking class and we have to do speeches sort of like a 'TED talk' ... September 9, 2020 at 12:17 am I want a speech on the Democratic for my school. Mystery. September 16, 2020 at 11:38 pm I'm kinda annoyed they don ...

  3. Public Speaking for Kids: 30 Topic Ideas for 30 Days

    Public Speaking for Kids: 30 Topic Ideas for 30 Days. Samidha Raj. Writer , Jersey City , New Jersey. 122 likes. A great public speaker, whether a young child or a seasoned professional, is someone who reflects charisma and confidence to captivate their audience. It's okay to feel nervous or to have fear of public speaking.

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    Have a look at these 30 persuasive speech topics that can help kids call others to action: The Benefits of Social Media. How to Become a Responsible Citizen. The Value of Having Good Manners. Taking Care of the Environment: Reducing Pollution and Waste. The One Thing I Know About Eating Healthy Foods.

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    Be ready to effectively communicate your views and suggestions in front of the public. Table Of Contents: List Of Best Speech Topics For Public Speaking. 1-Minute Speech Topics. 2-Minute Speech Topics. Unique Speech Topics. Interesting Speech Topics. Easy Speech Topics. Speech Topics On Environment.

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

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    Elementary School Speech Topics. Elementary school speech topics shouldn't be too challenging, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring! The 30 ideas on this page are just right for younger kids who want to create a cool presentation. First Set of 10 Elementary School Speech Topics. my favorite silly family story; why I should be President

  10. Speech Topics for Kids

    1st 10 Speech Topics For Kids. persuade us that doing homework is good/not good for you. convince us that watching cartoons is good/not good for you. argue that recess should be longer. explain why dogs are better than cats (or the other way around) show us how to make a popsicle pencil holder. show us how to make the perfect peanut butter and ...

  11. 60 Interesting Public Speaking Topics to Engage Your Audience

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  12. 45 Public Speaking Topics and Ideas

    24. The internet should be free for everyone. 25. Why punishing children for bullying others isn't a solution. This conversation article has some good ideas on that for you to explore. 26. The U.S. should encourage the spirit of volunteerism. 27. Society should make monopolies illegal.

  13. 224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School

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  14. Public speaking in primary schools

    Learn about public speaking provides teachers with information, advice and suggestions to support public speaking programs in school, including: benefits of public speaking. types of speeches - prepared and impromptu. the 3 Ms of public speaking. best practice for teaching public speaking. syllabus links.

  15. 16 Public Speaking Tips for Students

    Practice being silent when you feel the urge to use one of these words. Vary your tone, volume, and speed: Interesting speakers vary the pitch (high versus low), volume (loud versus soft), and speed (fast versus slow) of their words. Doing so keeps your classmates interested and engaged in what you say.

  16. PDF PUBLIC SPEAKING CURRICULUM

    W.11-12.1-8, 10 write an argumentative speech about a topic of their choosing. They must SL.11-12.1-6 continue to build upon their use of ethos, pathos and logos while L.11-12.1-6 writing/giving the speech. RI.11-12.2 Analyzing Persuasive Speeches: Students will analyze a persuasive speech and ... Middle Township School District Public Speaking ...

  17. 7 ways to boost public speaking skills in primary

    2 | Add a little sparkle and drama. Include something memorable that will grab attention, especially at the start. It might be a magic trick, visual illusion, an amazing fact or use of a prop. Whatever the children choose to do, make sure they relate it to their talk so the audience can see its relevance. Trending.

  18. Impromptu public speaking topics: 200 good speech ideas

    There are 200 impromptu public speaking topics here split into four random (un-themed) lists of fifty: 50 impromptu topics. Yet another 50 random speech topics. Then 50 more good impromptu speech topics. And finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics. Plus links to more impromptu speech topics and activities.

  19. Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition

    The Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition is open to all NSW government primary schools. The competition has two different age divisions - one for Years 3 and 4 students and one for Years 5 and 6 students. Schools can enter up to two contestants in each of the age divisions, totalling four contestants overall.

  20. We find out why developing debating skills is important for kids

    We offer many services to our students including regular debate classes, regular public speaking classes, a "speech and thought" fundamentals class for younger students (7 to 10 years) as well as team training for tournaments, one-on-one fundamentals coaching, arranging online guest lectures from the cream of the world's debating ...

  21. Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

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  22. PDF Moscow City, Russian Federation

    In Moscow, the Department of Education and Science of the City of Moscow carries out public administration of education. It implements the state education policy, taking into account Moscow's regional socioeconomic characteristics; ensures the education system functions according to the interests of the residents of Moscow; and ensures the ...

  23. The Best International English Schools in Moscow in 2024

    Brookes School Moscow. Brookes School Moscow is an international coeducational private school founded in 2018. All subjects are taught in English, and it is part of the Brookes Education Group with schools worldwide. The institution includes a preschool section for children aged 2 and a school for children aged 6 to 7.

  24. The Protesters and the President

    This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this ...

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