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English Speech Topics for Students

• Updated on  
• Apr 2, 2024

Writing an exciting and thoughtful speech requires selecting a good topic, researching it thoroughly, and forming individual opinions to express the same. School students are usually asked to speak on a contemporary topic to help them become good public speakers as well as learn the art of expressing oneself in front of an audience. While many speech competitions often allot topics beforehand, you might also have heard of extempore where topics are given on the spot for speech. This blog brings you a list of common English speech topics as well as some helpful tips and tricks that can assist you in effectively expressing your thoughts and opinions in front of an audience. Let’s begin!

Checkout our 200+ Essay Topics for Students in English

List of Best English Speech Topics for Students

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

1-minute Speech Topics

• The Best Day of My Life
• Social Media: Bane or Boon?
• Pros and Cons of Online Learning
• Benefits of Yoga
• If I had a Superpower
• I wish I were ______
• Human Rights
• Environment Conservation
• Women Should Rule the World!
• The Best Lesson I Have Learned
• Paperbacks vs E-books
• How to Tackle a Bad Habit
• My Favorite Pastime/Hobby
• Why should every citizen vote?
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Is it real or not?
• Importance of Reading
• Importance of Books in Our Life
• My Favorite Fictional Character
• Introverts vs Extroverts
• Lessons to Learn from Sports
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Quick Read: English Speaking Books

Quick Read: Essay on Peer Pressure

Quick Read: Essay on Health and Fitness for Students

2-Minute Speech Topics

• I mportance of Kindness
• Is there Value in Homework?
• Things I learned in Lockdown
• How can food be recycled?
• Should Art be a part of the school curriculum?
• Should schools teach sign language?
• Women make better presidents/prime ministers
• Why books are better than movies?
• Life was better when technology was simple
• Impact of technology on our health
• Should children’s reality shows be banned?
• Learning in the Wake of COVID-19
• Hard Work vs Smart Work
• What Makes Learning Fun?
• The Coolest Inventions You’ve Seen
• Nuclear Energy
• Importance of AI in Education
• Importance of Extracurricular Activities
• Should exams be banned?
• How to Tackle Bullying in Schools?

3-Minute Speech Topics

• Speech about dreams
• Speech about life
• Speech on time
• Speech on discipline
• Speech on happiness
• Speech on kindness
• Speech on value of time
• Speech on health and fitness
• Speech on Doctor
• Speech on Nurse
• Graduation Day Speech
• World Health Day Speech
• Sex Education Speech

Easy Topics for Speech in English

• Importance of Education
• Is it beneficial to learn a Second Language?
• Music has healing power
• Success in life
• Self Confidence
• 18th birthday
• Love is more powerful than hate
• Social Impact of Covid-19
• How can Online Learning be Fun?
• Make Public Transport Free
• Should violent video games be banned?
• Speech on Learning

Exploring English Speech Topics? You must also take a look at Extempore Topics !

English Speech Topics on Environment

• Climate Change
• Ozone Layer Depletion
• Reducing Water Levels
• Deforestation
• Global Warming
• Waste Management
• Water-Saving Techniques
• Reducing the Green Cover of Earth
• Endangered species need protection
• Importance of fishing regulations
• Importance of investing in alternative fuels
• Impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms
• The misuse of the term “sustainable development” by environmentalists
• Microbial benefits
• E-Waste Management
• Natural Disasters and their impact on economic growth
• Energy alternatives – Only solution to the environmental damage
• Extinction of rare species
• World Environment Day
• Disaster Management
• Over and Improper Use of Natural Resources
• Air, Water and Soil Pollution
• Efficiency of Recycling

Also Read: How to Write Dialogue: Format, Tips and Examples

English Speech Topics on Technology

• Technology and Mental Health
• Privacy in the Digital Age: Navigating the Challenges of Data Collection and Surveillance
• The Impact of Technology on Society
• Artificial Intelligence: The New Normal
• The Role of Social Media in Communication and Social Interactions
• Sustainable Technology: Innovations for a Greener Future
• The Rise of E-commerce
• Gaming Technology: Entertainment, ESports and Interactive Experiences
• The Digital Divide: Bridging the Gap for Equal Access to Technology
• The Ethical Dilemmas of Emerging Technologies

Also Read: English Vocabulary: Meaning, Types, Tips to Improve

English Speech Topics on Independence Day

• The Journey of Independence Day
• The Significance of Independence Day
• Indian Independence Day
• Remembering the Founding Fathers
• The Spirit of Independence
• Independence Day and Volunteering
• Independence Day Speeches
• India’s Road to Freedom
• Independence Day and National Identity
• Independence Day in the Digital Age
• Independence Day and Women’s Empowerment

English Speech Topics on Diwali

• Diwali: The Festival of Lights and Its Significance in Hindu Culture
• Diwali and the Victory of Good Over Evil
• Diwali and the Art of Giving
• Diwali and the Spirit of Forgiveness
• Diwali and Cultural Exchanges
• Diwali and the Essence of Joy
• Diwali and Social Responsibility
• Diwali and Artistic Expressions
• The Rituals and Traditions of Diwali
• Diwali and the Symbolism of Light

English Speech Topics on Corruption

• The Economic Consequence of Corruption
• Corruption and International Aid
• Media and Corruption
• Fighting Corruption
• Corruption in Politics
• The Role of Transparency and Accountability in Curbing Corruption
• The Role of Technology in Combating Corruption
• Whistleblowing and Protecting Mechanism
• Corruption in Business and Corporate Practices

English Speech Topics on Feminism

• Understanding Feminism
• The Future of Feminism
• Feminism and Parenting
• Feminism and Online Activism
• Feminism and Environmental Activism
• Feminism and Reproductive Rights
• The Gender Pay Gap: Examining Inequalities in the Workplace
• Feminism and its Evolution
• Feminism and Body Positivity
• Feminism and Media Representation: Encouraging Authentic and Diverse Portrayals of Women

English Speech Topics on Mother’s Day

• Expressing Gratitude and Love to Mothers
• The Influence of Mothers in Shaping Our Values and Beliefs
• Motherhood and Education
• Mother’s Day and Volunteerism
• Mother-Daughter Relationship
• The Role of Mothers in Shaping Society
• Mother’s Day Crafts and DIY Gifts
• Learned Lessons from Mothers
• Mother’s Day Around the World: Cultural Traditions and Celebrations

English Speaking Topics on Capitalism

• Capitalism: An Introduction to the Economic System and its Principles
• The Future of Capitalism
• Pros and Cons of Capitalism
• Capitalism and Globalisation
• Capitalism and Consumerism
• Capitalism and Financial Crisis: Undertaking the Risk and Mitigation Measures
• Capitalism and Environmental Sustainability
• Capitalism and the Role of Government
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Capitalism
• Capitalism and the Digital Economy

Engish Speech Topics on Gandhi Jayanti

• Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation and His Ideals
• Remembering Gandhi: Reflecting On His Life and Legacy
• Gandhi’s Influence on the Indian Independence Movement
• Satyagraha: The Power of Truth and Nonviolent Resistance
• Gandhi’s Philosophy of Swaraj
• The Role of Women in Gandhi’s Freedom Struggle
• Gandhi’s Teaching on Education and Moral Values
• Gandhi’s Lasting Legacy
• Gandhi’s Vision for a Just and Inclusive Society
• The Relevance of Gandhi’s Principles in Today’s World

English Speech Topics on Reading

• The Influence of Reading on Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
• Reading and Mental Health
• Benefits of Reading
• Reading and Empowerment
• The Role of Reading in Academic Success and Lifelong Learning
• Promoting a Reading Culture: Encouraging Reading Habits in Society
• Reading Biographies and Memoirs
• Reading and Social Connections
• The Joy of Reading: Escaping Into the Different Worlds and Characters
• Reading and Personal Identity

English Speech Topics on Communism

• The Current State of Communism
• Communism: An Introduction to the Ideology and Its Historical Context
• The Evolution of Communist Movements
• The Role of the State in a Communist Society
• The Fall of Communist Regimes
• Communism and Religious Freedom
• Communism and Gender Equality
• Communism and Workers’ Rights
• The Criticisms of Communism

English Speech Topics on Deforestation

• Deforestation: Causes, Consequences and Global Impact
• Deforestation and Climate Change
• Deforestation and Carbon Sequestration
• Deforestation and Individual Actions
• Deforestation and Wildlife Trafficking
• Deforestation and Sustainable Development
• Deforestation and Indigenous Communities
• Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
• Deforestation and Forest Fires
• The Importance of Forests

Quick Read: Speech on Nuclear Energy

English Speech Topics on Social Issues

• Women Empowerment
• Education of Girl Child
• Unemployment
• Casteism 
• Reservation
• Importance of Maintaining Hygiene
• Child Labour
• Social Distancing
• Organ Donation
• Importance of the Right to Education
• Child Trafficking
• Cultural Diversity
• Struggles of Immigrants
• Impact of Globalisation
• Adult education

English Speech Topics on Important Days & Events

• Independence Day
• Mother’s Day
• World Cancer Day
• World Population Day
• World Health Day
• Ambedkar Jayanti
• Gandhi Jayanti
• Human Rights Day
• Zero Discrimination Day
• Women’s Day
• Thanksgiving
• Anti-Terrorism Day
• Hindi Diwas 

Check out this list of all the important national and international days in 202 4 !

English Speech Topics on Greatest Leaders in India & Around the World

• Mahatma Gandhi
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Raja Rammohan Roy
• George Washington
• Albert Einstein
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Nelson Mandela
• Kailash Satyarthi

English Speech Topics on Indian Culture

• Diversity in India
• Speech on Holi
• The Role of Yoga and Meditation in Indian Culture and Its Global Impact
• The Importance of Traditional Indian Clothing
• Indian Folklore
• Indian Festivals
• The Art of Indian Dance
• Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurveda)
• Indian Epics and Mythology
• Social Customs and Etiquettes in Indian Society
• Indian Sports and Games

Also Read: Speech on Indian Culture

English Speech Topics on Proverbs

• Honesty is the best policy
• When there’s a will, there is a way
• Actions speak louder than words
• Knowledge is Power
• Ignorance is Bliss
• Don’t judge a book by its cover
• Hard work is the key to success

Explore these proverbs & their meanings through this blog on Difficult Phrases !

English Speech Topics on Human Rights

• The Role of International Organisations in Promoting and Protecting Human Rights
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Milestone in Human History
• Gender Equality: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women
• Ensuring a Safe and Sustainable Environment for the Next Generation
• The Right to Education: Empowering Minds
• Bridging the Gap Between the Rich and Poor
• Human Rights and Armed Conflicts
• Global Fight to Combat Human Trafficking
• Human Rights and Climate Change
• Religious Freedom: Tolerance and Coexistence in a Diverse Society

To know what to mention in such speech topics, explore the Great Personalities in the World !

English Speech Topics on Education

• Importance of teacher in your life
• SAT scores for college application
• Student bullies should be expelled
• Consequences of cheating in exams
• Homeschooling is better than normal schooling
• Importance of value education
• Importance of sports and physical exercises
• Schools vs colleges
• What is the difference between a school, college and university in the USA?

Check Out: Synonyms List

English Speech Topics on the Importance of Water

• The Water-Energy Nexus
• The Essence of Water: Exploring the Live-giving Properties of H2O
• Water as a Driver of Economic Growth and Prosperity
• Water Security: Ensuring Equal Access and Quality for All
• Water and Agriculture
• The Role of Water in Ecosystems
• Water and Blue Economy
• Water Diplomacy: Promoting Collaboration for Transboundary Water Management
• Water and Cultural Significance: Exploring Symbolisms and Rituals
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Foundational for Human Health and Dignity

Miscellaneous Speech Topics

• Article 370
• Women rights
• The Constitution of India
• Youth of India
• Culture of India
• Importance of Unity
• Generation Gap
• Importance of Value Education
• Old Age Homes
• Family Values
• Leadership skills
• Rise of Smart Classes
• Grading System
• Importance of Practical Education
• Benefits of Co-Education
• Importance of Co-Curricular Activities
• The uselessness of Power-Point Presentations
• Rise of Technology
• Excessive usage of the Internet
• Speech on Fear
• Speech on Dependence on Technology
• Importance of Social Media
• Speech on India of My Dreams
• Indian Education System
• Speech on My India

Types of Persuasive Speech Topics

While exploring persuasive English speech topics, you must make sure that they are stimulating, engaging, concise and clear. There are three main types of Persuasive Speech topics which are:

1. Factual Persuasive Speech : These topics include facts, figures and statistics to thoroughly analyse the given topic and assess whether it’s true or false.

2. Policy Persuasive Speech : Discussing policies, laws and reforms, these speech topics critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the given policy or law and suggest the improvements that can be made.

3. Value Persuasive Speech : Mainly focusing on social or political issues, these speech topics present the critique and argument of whether certain actions are morally right or not.

Tips for Writing and Speaking a Speech

While speaking on a particular topic, there are certain things that you must keep in mind to make your speech expressive and effective. Let’s take a look at some useful topics that help you in acing any topic you are speaking on.

• Always research the topic. If you are participating in an extempore, then make sure to go through the common and popular topics as well as the unconventional ones that you might get. Preparation is the key to delivering an impressive speech. For inspiration, look up various speech examples to see how effective speakers engage their audience
• Whether you are given a topic on the spot or you are prepared for the speech, it is always pivotal that you seem interested in speaking about it. Relate the given issues to your own life and this will help you in giving it your twist.
• Pay extra attention to your body language and enunciation. While a gesticulative approach will make you seem outward, having timid body language can cause a wrong impression.
• Ponder upon the different viewpoints on a topic . Try to present a holistic view of the given topic but don’t forget to present your opinion on it as well. Along with this, don’t try to take sides unless the topic demands you to.
• Involve your audience, if possible. This way, you will be able to interact with the people and it will also be useful in fighting the fear of public speaking.
• Don’t mug up a speech. It becomes evident when someone just speaks on a topic continuously and the audience might realise that you have memorized it or you might forget a certain part which will let the whole speech fade away from your brain.
• Instead, make notes about the topic in your mind, remember certain keywords and try to maintain a particular flow in your speech.
• Incorporate humour in your speech in a way that you do not offend anyone or overdo it but get a positive reaction from the audience. Humour is a great way of lightening the mood as well as ensuring the whole speech is interactive and engaging.
• When you need more specialized assistance, a  US essay writing service  can be a valuable resource for crafting your speech.

While preparing for English Speech topics, you must also check out IELTS Speaking Topics !

Juvenile delinquency is acceptable. Prostitution should be legal. Underage driving should be punishable by law. Beauty pageants for children should be banned. Prisoner’s right to vote. Voting rights should not be universal. Guns should be banned from college campuses.

A three-minute speech is undoubtedly a wonderful starting point for public speaking. This is because you need to communicate with your audience more effectively when you just have a short amount of time. In addition, the speech ought to be concise, pertinent, and clear.

Life is the gift of God in the form of trust that we will make it meaningful in whatever we can. We are all unique individuals. No one is born like you and no one will ever be, so cherish your individuality. Many times, I come across people accusing God of things that they don’t have. They always cursing their lives.

 2-minute speeches are  short and crisp speeches of about 260-350 words .

Related Reads

Thus, we hope that this list helps you in preparing for different English speech topics. Gearing up for IELTS ? Sign up for an online demo session with our experts at Leverage Edu and we will assist you in preparing for its different sections as well as improving your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to ensure that you ace the exam with flying colours!

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14 comments

I take english speaking classes, please provide me sone more material to help student’s.

Here are some articles on books and study material that will help your students- https://leverageedu.com/blog/english-speaking-books/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/books-by-charles-dickens/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/best-books-by-george-orwell/

I want topic on students and online classes

It is helpful for my school homework thanks 😸

Glad we could help!

Nice advise 👍

Thank you, Pragya!

Not good topics 🤔🤔

Thanks for the suggestion. We will update the blog!

Helpful for students . So I like it

Thanks for reading! Also, read: Daily Used English Words Speech on Importance of English Reach us at 1800 57 2000 for study-abroad related matters!

You people are giving great contribution in internet learning and it is for all….

Hi, thank you for your valuable feedback.

Awesome! Its really awesome article, I have got much clear idea concerning from this post.

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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

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

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

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

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

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

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

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

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

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Business and Economy

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

Social Media

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

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics 

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

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Politics and Government

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

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

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

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

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

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

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

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

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

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

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

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

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

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

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

Lauren Green

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

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• Top 99 College Speech Topics

Ninety-nine emotional, controversial, or relatable speech ideas for college students

Here's my list of 99 college speech topics! They cover all sorts of subjects, and you should be able to find something suitable for whatever type of speech you've been asked to deliver.

To make things easy on yourself, pick a topic that interests you and something you'll be able to speak about with passion!

It will make your research more interesting, and your speech more engaging for your listeners!

Are you returning to college, or just starting your freshman year?

Then check out these tips for time management for college students .

These tips for post-secondary students give you a fighting chance of thriving during your college years because you're capable of so much more than you realize if you schedule things right!

1st Fifty (50) College Speech Topics

• The death penalty
• Hazing in fraternities and sororities
• Succeeding in college
• What it means to be a hero
• The dangers of drugs
• The dangers of smoking
• The dangers of alcohol
• How to find a job
• The dangers of credit cards
• Staying Christian in college
• Planning a party
• How to make money on eBay
• Tips to save money in college
• Reality television
• Today's music
• Athletes as role models
• My favorite celebrity
• My best childhood memory
• My worst childhood memory
• The person who most influenced my life
• My definition of "Family"
• All about me!
• My best friend
• How to change a flat tire
• How to get a second date
• How to meet new people
• My new year's resolution
• We are living in the end times
• The life and death of Robin Williams
• Civil disobedience
• Sex education
• Teenage pregnancy
• Gun control
• Legalizing marijuana
• Passing your driving tests
• Study strategies - WaPo ex. " College Students: They don't know how to study "
• Caffeine - Check out a sample informative speech - "The Truth About Caffeine"

49 More College Speech Topics

• The importance of exercise
• A turning point in my life
• Gangs or gang violence
• What type of legacy will you leave behind?
• A moment that changed my life
• If I won the lottery…
• Platonic relationships
• How to plan a vacation
• The 'fake news' phenomenon and its dangers
• Is Ebola a worldwide threat?
• Energy drinks - useful or dangerous?
• Practice makes perfect
• A fair trial
• What is a tornado?
• The importance of a good night's sleep
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Cell phones
• Ideas for spring break trips
• How to entertain on a budget
• How to lose weight and keep it off
• How to stop smoking
• The media and self-esteem
• The Kardashians
• Immigration
• O.J. Simpson
• Trump and Twitter
• Stephen King
• The history of the internet
• The invention of the telephone
• The importance of a college education
• Don't drop out of school
• Muhammad Ali
• Satellite vs. cable television
• America's Got Talent
• Should the school year be extended?
• Teacher pay raises
• The failure of the public school system
• What is your credit score?
• How to buy a car
• What to look for in a roommate
• How to reduce your carbon footprint
• Is there life after death?
• Life on other planets
• Scientology

So there you have it - 99 college speech topics on which to base your presentation, or to inspire you to come up with a subject of your own!

Good luck with creating your speech - and if you'd like to share your creation, I'd love to publish it to help inspire others!

Need More Help - Here are a few free speech samples on some more topics that may be appropriate for college students:

Truth About Caffeine

Hybrid Animals

Childhood Obesity

Global Warming

If you like to publish or share, submit your speech here as an example for others to read after completion.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

212 Speech Topics For College Students [Persuasive, Informative, Impromptu]

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:

Informative

For higher education, thesis statement examples.

List of Speech Topics For College Students

• How Schools Should Improve the Quality of Teaching.
• Why You Should Apply For International Exchange Programs.
• What to Do About Low Self-esteem?
• What You Can Do to Cut Poverty Rates.
• Refurbish your old computer PC!
• Seat belts in school buses increase passenger safety.
• Qualitative consumer market research give fundamental insight.
• Professors should never be allowed to crush a student’s dream.
• It is important for students to find organisations to get involved in.
• Students should take time to go visit their family and friends back home.
• Setting goals is important.
• Students must not be afraid to ask questions.
• Students shouldn’t be afraid to challenge a professor if they disagree with something.
• A study now and party later attitude should be adapted.
• Contrary to popular belief college kids do want their parents to fuss.
• Every college student needs a mentor.
• College students should start applying for jobs before they leave college.
• Students should spend more time enjoying their campus.
• It is important to be able to cook and do washing before starting college.
• Students need to make dorm check lists.
• Students should form study groups.
• Students should do extra credit.
• Students shouldn’t drink or smoke just because they want to fit in.
• Every student sharing a dorm or apartment should get themselves earplugs.
• Changing a major isn’t the end of the world.
• Students should make time to work out.
• Getting a job on campus is beneficial to a student.
• Students should write down questions that they need to ask the college tour guide.
• To get a true sense of what a college is really like students should visit while it’s in session.
• It is important to have study time scheduled into your day. Study time should be scheduled into a students day.
• A student’s syllabus is a wonderful tool that should be used to its full potential.
• Students should not be embarrassed to go see a tutor if they are struggling.
• Rewriting notes is a good way of reviewing study material.
• Students need to take breaks to do things other than just studying.
• Students should treat themselves to something they like at the end of very demanding weeks.
• Students should make use of student discounts.
• Being well organise will help students to avoid stress.
• The internet is full of great resources that are beneficial to students.
• Students can volunteer their way into scholarship money.
• Students should attend all the orientations available to them.
• Finding an ideal place to study is important.
• Academic advisers are key resources for students.
• When students don’t get along with their advisers they should request another.
• It is important that students have a balanced life.
• Never make hasty decisions on what to major in.
• Students should not procrastinate.
• Homesickness will affect even the students who could not wait to leave home.
• Students need to set up a budget and stick to it.
• Professors want students who want to learn, participate and show commitment to learning.
• Having a conversation with a classmate during class is an insult to the professor.
• Students should dress appropriately to class.
• Students should never turn in work that doesn’t follow their professors guidelines.
• It’s a good move to sit towards the front of the classroom.
• There should be a system in place to minimise students from dropping out of college.
• To save money students should make use of campus amenities.
• College students will need flip-flops in the bathroom.
• Students should visit their college counselling centre at least once a week.
• Students should take advantage of all the free activities on campus.
• Getting caught doing illegal things will be very bad for any college record.
• Students should register for classes as early as possible.
• Getting a job during the first semester isn’t a good idea.
• Study groups should be kept small.
• Students living in dorms should wash their hands often.
• College demands 100% effort.
• Parents shouldn’t yell at kids who no longer get straight A’s like they did before attending college.
• Students need to carry condoms with them at all times.
• Pregnancy shouldn’t be the end of a student’s college dream.
• Students need to realise that most people’s social media posts are exaggerated.
• High levels of pressure can lead to suicide.
• Students should never be told they are failures, even when they have failed.
• Virtual classroom will take over in future.
• Students who were raised by over controlling parents will have a hard time dealing with all the changes once they start college.
• Convincing a student to stay in college is very important.
• Long distant relationships do not work.
• Students should marry someone with the same level of education.
• Believing that everyone will mature in college is a myth.
• Students should always back up their files.
• Roommates need to have a good talk when they are having issues.
• Applying for a summer orientation position for incoming students will be good for a student.
• There is no need for a car in campus.
• Keeping a journal is a great idea.
• Going to career fairs is a smart move.
• Students should not over commit themselves just to look good on their resumes.
• It is important that students check their emails often.
• Becoming a Resident Assistant is a good idea.
• Libraries are a cool place to study.
• Freshman 15 is a real thing.
• Students should be careful about whom they borrow things to.
• Credit cards are not a good idea for college students.
• Shy students should attend a public speaking class.
• Students should take small classes with professors that write recommendations.
• A student should write a thesis even if they don’t need to.
• Opportunities to study abroad should always be accepted.
• College students should not go home every weekend.
• Internships are overrated.
• Students should take advantage of free tutoring.
• Most college friendships are temporary.
• Undergraduation does not mean you are not qualified for a succesful career.
• The majority of graduate students struggle with emotional fatigue.
• Legalizing prostitution will avoid campus date rape incidents.
• It is important for college students to take a Sabbatical.
• Every graduation student should obtain foreign experience.
• An online spell checker isn’t enough for your research paper essay.
• Censorship is needed in college and high school drama productions.
• Why you must sign the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.
• Persuade the government to pay the basic healthcare of students.
• Do undercover FBI agents belong on campus?

College speech topics to attain indirect clues about themes intended to apply in higher learning presentations by little or less effort on the road to a successful presentation.

• Award or graduation ceremonies revealed from the backstage.
• How to become a cheerleader and transcend yourself to indispensability.
• Chemistry experiments and scientific breaktroughs.
• Horse racing and betting procedures – compare odds bookmakers.
• My plans for the future after I have completed this year:
• How spy sunglasses and airport bodyscans can see through clothes.
• Diving expeditions to shipwrecks that are buried on the ocean sand floor.
• Famous painters and paintings from the Golden Century.
• Favourite movie characters which are voiced by actors.
• Why meet and greet Asian people politely.
• Dining etiquette you must know for all occasions.
• Digital multitrack music recording works to compose top hits.
• Impress people at first sight – the psychology behind that adagium.
• What would you do if you should have an unexpected week off?
• What would you like to know more about.
• What is your favourite career field, something that make all the difference?
• Clothing styles and name brands for prom nights.
• Famous fashion or sports apparel designers – as seen on tennis tv shows.
• Your worst campus activities in the days your are off.
• Mountain biking is fun and earth-friendly they say, it is risky too.
• How I earn money with … (fill in a not ordinary student job)
• Enhance campus life in dorm rooms by nice pranks.
• Fashion trends this spring and summer, autumn and winter.
• Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle revealed.
• The hip-hop lifestyle is a no-life style.
• Dangers of a cyber relationship on shady late night moments.
• Start your own internet broadcast program in three steps.
• How to impress people at first sight.
• Ways to enhance campus life.
• The causes of the American civil war.
• How i prepared my trip to Europe.
• The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• The Wonders of the Medieval World.
• The Natural Wonders of the World.
• The Wonders of the Modern Word.
• The Vikings Boats – The fighting fleet of prehistoric Scandinavia.
• The Samurai Warriors – Story of the Japanese military nobility.
• Bermuda Triangle – The haunted southeastern Atlantic coast area.
• Harry Houdini – The Great Illusionist and Magician.
• The most famous cities of the Maya culture.
• What are bar and bat Mitzvah.
• The travels of Marco Polo.
• What is an ISBN number and how it works.
• What is an eclipse.
• The secrets of crop circles.
• Yoga for beginners.
• 5 dangers of cyber relationships.
• The world’s time zones.
• How photosynthesis works in plants.
• Special tricks to remain focused during lectures.
• Sanction for students that are caught cheating around the world.
• Summer jobs for students.
• How our graduate system compares to other countries.
• Check list for leadership of student council members
• Graduation party ideas to impress your guests.

College speech topic inventory of logical action sequences for higher education students. All are broad and should be narrowed for a classroom speech. For example, Safe Sunbathing can be narrowed to persuasion on your personal tips on how to enjoy the sun safely on holidays.

Another sample: Homesickness. E.g. describe what it is, how it feels, what forms exist and what you can do about it yourself or with help from professionals.

Most and for all, read the higher education assignment rules and requirements very, very carefully. Do not take issues everyone will consider as overused.

Choose the one you like. When in doubt: ask friends or your public speaking professor.

Can We Write Your Speech?

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

• College education years are absolute not the best years of our life
• Coping with anxiety in life
• Dealing with loss and mourning grief
• Honesty in college really matters
• How to communicate effectively at our campus
• How to cope with an autistic person
• The international diplomatic circus
• My motto: Learn from the past, prepare the future, and live present
• Limiting the promotion of alcohol diminishes traffic casualties
• My goals for the student council election
• The pros or cons of organ donating
• Safe sunbathing is a must in sunshine states
• Sports football vs. soccer, or other sports for another college speech topic
• Studying alone or studying with a group of college students?
• Why skipping classes can isolate a student socially.
• Ten rules for achieving successes
• Cheesy pickup lines you should not stick on your vehicle
• Funny awards and their meanings
• High Tech industry job opportunities
• Homesickness is not pose
• How to boost confidence in public speaking
• Handling your drunken roommate
• How to stay in touch with old college mates
• Money problems – this is a very hot college speech idea 🙂
• Problem drinkers and the problems that occur
• Human services in health care
• The Free Speech Movement
• Time management skills are no luxury these days
• What I will do when I retire
• Why movies are popular, or take one special movie that’s in and make a presentation of it.

The inventory can be expanded to many more. Here are three methods for developing:

• Look in the education resources you have access to for surprising new bare facts and background data sheets.
• And categorize the information in easy to do step by step instructions and logical educational action sequences.
• Ask college classmates and peers for their opinions, thoughts, ideas and needs on the chochosenllege speech topic.

These informative speech topics for college students are not only nice for preparing the best public speaking speech, but also for essay writing, I have noticed.

Some students who provide me feedback and additional tips, wrote that they have successfully adapted these five samples for writing and essay or paper.

The suggested sub-points are given to spark your imagination,; expand or focus them till they fit the requirements of the educational assignment.

Impromptu speech topics for college in case your are required to speak in front of everyone out of the blue about specific issues ad-libbing as public speaking training:

Second, use my basic outline template. Print it and learn the simple structure by heart. No worries, it is really that simple 🙂

Do keep it simple. Especially when you have to speak for let’s say a minute of three to five. To put it roughly: one minute per main point often will do the trick! Rehearse your first line.

Rehearse your last line; that is your relevant call to action. See more of my basic checks for speaking off the cuff when you are invited to do so.

• Show the essence of a college sports scholarship.
• Present the reasons why international climate change mitigation strategies will fall short. Tip: each of those reasons could be good by themselves.
• Decide the value of a BA or Master degree.
• Show similarities and differences of good college essays.
• Distinguish the economic differences between the North and South.
• Give a judgment of the positive and negative effects of video games on kids.
• Make clear what the word quality means under certain circumstances.
• Provide the detailed features of your new iPhone. Or take an alternative gadget for similar impromptu speech topics for college.
• List and judge the for and against of anti-doping programs in sports.
• List the steps to help making an informed decision about a future professional career.
• The usefulness of your public speaking training abilities.
• Make clear how and why people get a burnout.
• What is a final salary scheme in calculating retirement pensions?
• The value of information provided through school libraries.
• Why intelligence services must apply forms of domestic spying.
• The effects of industrialization after the invention of the steam engine.
• Teen girls are getting very liberal with sexual favors, no that’s a false understatement.
• Be a critic of impromptu speech topics for college of your public speaking instructor suggests.
• Wrap up the last meeting of your campus community board; any decisions taken for example about sports scholarships improvements?
• The interesting process of genetic reproductive cloning, by which an animal is created with the same DNA as an existing animal.

Speech topics for college students formulated as ready to go public speaking education thesis statements.

Just alter the sentences in the way you like it and there you are: you have your own personal slides and sheets writings for stirring the fire up somewhat and start a function or action based on the classic rhetorica essentials and oral hints for a higher education auditor.

Safety considerations related to school buses which operate under the supervision of the transportation authority boards.

Methods family genealogists use to research history and how they interpret data in an annotative critical perseverance way.

These are also very usable for starting up the thinking process for example essay writing and researching projects

• Mass vaccination is a good public health strategy for protecting people in potential disaster regions against cholera. Or of course choose other diseases to get stringent in content speech topics if you study for gaining a degree in a specific area.
• The concerns raised by the refurbishing of old computer PCs and recycling other consumer electronics.
• Sedation could be a humanitarian solution for transporting acutely or critically ill patients and diminish safety risk issues on the way to hospital.
• How a financial planner can identify those estate planning issues that are most forthcoming to you, and how you can solve many of the financial problems encountered.
• I have also grouped and explained the famous travels of Marco Polo in three periods for vocal expressions if you like to orate on a great adventurer of centuries ago.
• Consumer market research is an inevitable instrument to collect exact or valuable haphazard speech topics for college students data before you sell any goods.
• How the seventeenth century judicial system of Checks and Balances is constituated in the US Constitution based on the hypothesis and theories of the father of the modern state structures, the honorable French politician Charles de Montesquieu.
• Persons who are following a 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grades course and who are gifted and talented should be provided with special education funds for high-achieving pupils, like the tropicana program for public speaking education.
• Common emotional problems with wills and trusts and ways to handle them adequately.
• There should be one uniform standard set of higher learning edu challenges in closing commencement rates with the same characteristics for similar bookworm populations.
• Employees have the responsibility to prevent sexual harassment, to response appropriate, and participate in misconduct investigations.
• The importance for college students, teachers, and instructors of improving social studies knowledge of controversial civic issues.
• You can distillate many college persuasive speech topics out of this topic for public speaking. Map out the food gap between developing and rich countries; the trends over time and how the United Nations Millenium Goal policy could cut poverty rates.
• The labor force population explained. The employed, unemployed and self-employed put into the context of the labor policy of our government. The problems, causes and possible solutions.
• How emerging India has become a serious international space competitive in the past years, and future topics related to India’s space race in the next decade.
• Why bilingual language education divides us Americans. Some persuasive speech topics for school to consider for public speaking students are: why every new citizen should learn both English and Spanish, or just another universal foreign language.
• Five ways to help the partially sighted or blind; visually impaired people in ordinairy life. Motivate your public speaking audience to act immediately!
• The National holidays other countries around the world celebrate with various names, traditions and cultures. Why do we have so much national holidays. Take some discutable ones and translate them into college persuasive speech topics.
• Husbands and wives should have the right to decide freely to have as many children as they can properly raise. The one-child policy in the People’s Republic of China is not acceptable for us in the Western Hemisphere? Or is it the only way to stop overpopulation?
• The goals of the science of Paleontology – what do students want to achieve with the studying of prehistoric life, olds stines and fossils. Are they sufficiently enough?
• Why we should help to prevent and to improve therapeutic treatment methods and extensive educational programs on stuttering. Do the existing methods work?
• The basics of risk management explained in detail – the determination, the prevention, and the control of dangers.
• Human body language is the one and only Cupido guide to success in dating; it reveals everything about her or him and of course about yourself.
• How to cut the expensive costs of dorm fees, books, food and transportation and have a good and relaxed campus life as well. Wow, these are real speech topics for college – it paves the path to many more supplements.
• Why a professional business and management liability insurance is not a luxury, but an essential need for each and every company.
• What every employee should know about earn gratuities and the related regulations and obligations under the Income Tax Act.
• Why we should buy an IPhone and why not – the pros and cons of the Apple invention explained for mobile phone dummies.
• Why so-called Pro Bono Lawyers are not philanthropically legal aid attorneys for charity. How they work on deductive premises – bring home the steps in the legal process – is an alternative option to work out.
• Human Papillomavirus and Chlamydia are the most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases at college campuses and therefore actual public speaking speech topics for college students to deliver in class.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning or the silent assassin that can build up to dangerous levels while you are sleeping – describe the causes, the problems, the treatment and how it can be prevented.
• Stop the state and federal budget cuts to the deaf access programs and services for persons with a hearing disability. Or take other disability programs to make a personal and political statement.

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104 Environmental Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative]

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50+ Easy English Speech Topics for Students: 2 & 5 Minute Speech

• March 16, 2024

Table of Contents

Best english speech topics for students.

Speech topics are definitely going to be essential for students to learn about what they can speak when they are presented with an opportunity to speak on a particular topic which is common. There are lots of topics which may be common but students may not be well versed in those topics and hence they may find it difficult to speak clearly and in detail.

In this particular article, we will be mentioning more than 50 easy English speech topics for students and these topics will definitely make them feel better and explore all these to make sure that they become better in terms of public speaking and giving speeches. They can also try to write some content on these topics which can make them feel comfortable with these topics and they can write and speak anywhere confidently and fluently.

Also Check : Popular Proverbs in English

Easy English Speech Topics For Students 

There are lots of easy topics on which students can speak and they can definitely find their content available on various sources on the Internet and these topics have been mentioned as follows:

• What is success in life?
• How can we save ourselves from fake news?
• What is self-confidence?
• Is love more powerful than hate?
• What is the social impact of COVID-19?
• Can online learning be fun?
• How can violent video games be restricted?
• Speech on online games?
• Benefits of Music
• What are the benefits of learning a second language?
• Importance of education in our life

2-Minute Speech Topics For Students

There are lots of topics on which 2-minute speeches can easily be delivered by the students and they need to make sure that these topics are handled very well with enough content to be spoken. Below is a list of these topics about which students can easily feel confident once they start speaking at least for 2 minutes:

• Importance of homework in school
• Learnings from lockdown of COVID-19
• Is it possible to recycle food?
• Why should schools teach sign language?
• Are women better to become Presidents and Prime Ministers than men?
• How are books better than movies for students?
• Impact of technology on our life
• Should children’s reality shows be completely banned?
• Smart work versus hard work: which one is better?
• What is nuclear energy?
• Importance of kindness in our life

5-Minute Speech Topics For Students 

There are topics that students can choose to speak at least for 5 minutes and they can prepare for their speeches for schools and colleges. Below is a list of these topics on which students can try and speak confidently and that will help them feel better in terms of their English:

• What are the benefits of music?
• How can we get rid of fake news?
• Is making public transport free a good step?
• What should the government do regarding violent video games?
• Speech on honesty
• Speech on humanitarian work
• Speech on the importance of learning computer
• Speech on learning foreign languages
• How can self-confidence decide our career?
• Is it possible to learn English fast?
• How can good politics change a country’s future?

English Speech Topics On Environment

If you speak on topics related to the environment, it will definitely help you speak all the related topics comfortably. Let us know some of the topics from the environment that you can give speeches on:

• Speech on ozone layer depletion
• Speech on deforestation
• Global warming
• Water saving methods
• Speech on waste management
• Speech on climate change
• How do natural disasters influence the environment? 
• Extinction of rare species
• Benefits of recycling

English Speech Topics On Technology

Technology plays a very important role in our life and there are many topics that can be helpful for you as a student as you can try to explore them and know more about them to deliver speeches in an effective manner. Let’s look at some technology-related topics:

• The Impact of technology on our society
• The rise of artificial intelligence
• E-commerce and its benefits
• Gaming technology
• Entertainment industry

English Speech Topics On Festivals

Festivals play a very important role in everyone’s life and they are great especially for brotherhood and there are lots of festivals on which speeches can be delivered. Let us get to know some of the important topics that you can deliver speeches on:

• Speech on Diwali
• Importance of celebrating festivals together
• Speech on Holi
• Speech on Eid
• Speech on Christmas
• Speech on religious festivals and rituals

English Speech Topics On Corruption

It is crucial to spread awareness about corruption and this can be done through speeches as well. There are lots of corruption-related topics that need to be explored.

• What is corruption?
• Impact of corruption
• Media and corruption
• How is politics affected by corruption?
• How can corruption spoil a company’s environment?

English Speech Topics On Social Issues 4

Social issues are the most important issues that everyone needs to talk about. Having a good grasp on social issues can really make anyone give speeches comfortably. If you are aware of social issues, there are a number of topics you can select and prepare speeches on:

• Importance of equality
• Education for females
• Reservation
• Woman empowerment 
• Child labour
• Unemployment in society
• Globalization

Also Read : Common English-Speaking Sentences for Beginners

Tips To Prepare And Present A Good Speech

Giving a great speech is an art and you have to do with lots of things that are important for you to keep in mind. Understanding the topic that you are going to speak on is one of the most important things that you as a student of public speaking can think about. If you know that you have a topic, then it is important to go through other things that have been mentioned as follows:

1. Know your audience and engage with them

Since you already know that this is the topic that you are going to speak on, it is imperative for you to understand the type of audience that you are going to speak before. Once you know the audience, you have to start engaging with them during speech which can really enhance the speech in a better way.

2. Keep it simple

You don’t have to complicate your speech by using complicated vocabulary but you have to make sure that your speech is simple and you are able to connect with your audience in a better way. Your main focus should be to convey the message that you want to in as better way as possible.

3. Use your body language

The importance of body language is such that once you understand it and start using it, it will be able to give you more and more confidence in terms of giving your speech in a better. You have to use your body language to make sure that your audience is able to connect with you very clearly. The importance of body language while delivering any speech plays a very essential role in terms of conveying the message effectively.

4. Do as much practice as possible beforehand

Practice is what becomes the key when it comes to delivering a great speech on any topic. Beforehand, you need to practice the written content as much as possible and then you will be able to feel more confident before you step on to deliver your speech.

5. Structure your speech

Having a fixed structure of the topic that you are going to speak on is something which can make you feel more confident. Know what are the things that you are going to speak about next. The structuring of the speech will make sure that there are a few points that are going to be in your mind and you have to speak those points in a very clear manner.

Topics related to the environment, corruption, social issues and technology are so common topics that you as students studying in schools and colleges can make yourself ready with in order to deliver speeches. Once you are able to deliver speeches in English on these topics, it will certainly help in boosting your confidence level and you will be able to feel the difference in your language and in the manner of delivering speech yourself. This is something which if done on a regular basis can certainly make you a better speaker of the English language.

Here's how AceFluency can help you improve your English

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for any project.

General Education

Are you struggling to find good persuasive speech topics? It can be hard to find a topic that interests both you and your audience, but in this guide we've done the hard work and created a list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. They're organized into ten categories and cover a variety of topics, so you're sure to find one that interests you.

In addition to our list, we also go over which factors make good persuasive speech topics and three tips you should follow when researching and writing your persuasive speech.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

What makes certain persuasive speech topics better than others? There are numerous reasons, but in this section we discuss three of the most important factors of great topics for a persuasive speech.

It's Something You Know About or Are Interested in Learning About

The most important factor in choosing and creating a great persuasive speech is picking a topic you care about and are interested in. You'll need to do a lot of research on this topic, and if it's something you like learning about, that'll make the process much easier and more enjoyable. It'll also help you sound passionate and informed when you talk, both important factors in giving an excellent persuasive speech.

It's a Topic People Care About

In fourth grade, after being told I could give a persuasive speech on any topic I wanted to , I chose to discuss why the Saguaro cactus should be the United State's national plant. Even though I gave an impassioned talk and drew a life-size Saguaro cactus on butcher paper to hang behind me, I doubt anyone enjoyed the speech much.

I'd recently returned from a family vacation to Arizona where I'd seen Saguaro cacti for the first time and decided they were the coolest thing ever. However, most people don't care that much about Saguaro cacti, and most people don't care what our national plant is or if we even have one (for the record, the US has a national flower, and it's the rose).

Spare yourself the smattering of bored applause my nine-old self got at the end of my speech and choose something you think people will be interested in hearing about. This also ties into knowing your audience, which we discuss more in the final section.

It Isn't Overdone

When I was in high school, nearly every persuasive speech my classmates and I were assigned was the exact same topic: should the drinking age be lowered to 18? I got this prompt in English class, on standardized tests, in speech and debate class, etc. I've written and presented about it so often I could probably still rattle off all the main points of my old speeches word-for-word.

You can imagine that everyone's eyes glazed over whenever classmates gave their speeches on this topic. We'd heard about it so many times that, even if it was a topic we cared about, speeches on it just didn't interest us anymore.

The are many potential topics for a persuasive speech. Be wary of choosing one that's cliche or overdone. Even if you give a great speech, it'll be harder to keep your audience interested if they feel like they already know what you're going to say.

An exception to this rule is that if you feel you have a new viewpoint or facts about the topic that currently aren't common knowledge. Including them can make an overdone topic interesting. If you do this, be sure to make it clear early on in your speech that you have unique info or opinions on the topic so your audience knows to expect something new.

105 Topics for a Persuasive Speech

Here's our list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. We made sure to choose topics that aren't overdone, yet that many people will have an interest in, and we also made a point of choosing topics with multiple viewpoints rather than simplistic topics that have a more obvious right answer (i.e. Is bullying bad?). The topics are organized into ten categories.

Arts/Culture

• Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
• Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Should all national museums be free to citizens?
• Should graffiti be considered art?
• Should offensive language be removed from works of classic literature?
• Are paper books better than e-books?
• Should all interns be paid for their work?
• Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
• Will Brexit hurt or help the UK's economy?
• Should all people over the age of 65 be able to ride the bus for free?
• Should the federal minimum wage be increased?
• Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
• Should Black Friday sales be allowed to start on Thanksgiving?
• Should students who bully others be expelled?
• Should all schools require students wear uniforms?
• Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
• Should students be allowed to listen to music during study hall?
• Should all elementary schools be required to teach a foreign language?
• Should schools include meditation or relaxation breaks during the day?
• Should grades in gym class affect students' GPAs?
• Should teachers get a bonus when their students score well on standardized tests?
• Should children of undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend public schools?
• Should students get paid for getting a certain GPA?
• Should students be allowed to have their cell phones with them during school?
• Should high school students be allowed to leave school during lunch breaks?
• Should Greek life at colleges be abolished?
• Should high school students be required to volunteer a certain number of hours before they can graduate?
• Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
• What are the best ways for schools to stop bullying?
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• Should people with more than one DUI lose their driver's license?
• Should people be required to shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their house?
• Should minors be able to drink alcohol in their home if they have their parent's consent?
• Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
• Should flag burning as a form of protest be illegal?
• Should welfare recipients be required to pass a drug test?
• Should white supremacist groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
• Should assault weapons be illegal?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Should beauty pageants for children be banned?
• Is it OK to refuse to serve same-sex couples based on religious beliefs?
• Should transgender people be allowed to serve in the military?
• Is it better to live together before marriage or to wait?
• Should affirmative action be allowed?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Government/Politics

• Should the government spend more money on developing high-speed rail lines and less on building new roads?
• Should the government be allowed to censor internet content deemed inappropriate?
• Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state?
• Should Scotland declare independence from the United Kingdom?
• Whose face should be on the next new currency printed by the US?
• Should people convicted of drug possession be sent to recovery programs instead of jail?
• Should voting be made compulsory?
• Who was the best American president?
• Should the military budget be reduced?
• Should the President be allowed to serve more than two terms?
• Should a border fence be built between the United States and Mexico?
• Should countries pay ransom to terrorist groups in order to free hostages?
• Should minors be able to purchase birth control without their parent's consent?
• Should hiding or lying about your HIV status with someone you're sleeping with be illegal?
• Should governments tax soda and other sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
• Should high schools provide free condoms to students?
• Should the US switch to single-payer health care?
• Should healthy people be required to regularly donate blood?
• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Should religious organizations be required to pay taxes?
• Should priests be allowed to get married?
• Should the religious slaughter of animals be banned?
• Should the Church of Scientology be exempt from paying taxes?
• Should women be allowed to be priests?
• Should countries be allowed to only accept refugees with certain religious beliefs?
• Should public prayer be allowed in schools?

Science/Environment

• Should human cloning be allowed?
• Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like tigers and monkeys?
• Should "animal selfies" in tourist locations with well-known animal species (like koalas and tigers) be allowed?
• Should genetically modified foods be sold in grocery stores?
• Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
• Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
• What is the best type of renewable energy?
• Should plastic bags be banned in grocery stores?
• Should the United States rejoin the Paris Agreement?
• Should puppy mills be banned?
• Should fracking be legal?
• Should animal testing be illegal?
• Should offshore drilling be allowed in protected marine areas?
• Should the US government increase NASA's budget?
• Should Pluto still be considered a planet?
• Should college athletes be paid for being on a sports team?
• Should all athletes be required to pass regular drug tests?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
• Are there any cases when athletes should be allowed to use steroids?
• Should college sports teams receive less funding?
• Should boxing be illegal?
• Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
• Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
• Should parents let their children play tackle football?
• Will robots reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
• What age should children be allowed to have a cell phone?
• Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
• Overall, has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
• Should self-driving cars be legal?
• Should all new buildings be energy efficient?
• Is Net Neutrality a good thing or a bad thing?
• Do violent video games encourage players to become violent in real life?

3 Bonus Tips for Crafting Your Persuasive Speech

Of course, giving a great persuasive speech requires more than just choosing a good topic. Follow the three tips below to create an outstanding speech that'll interest and impress your audience.

Do Your Research

For a persuasive speech, there's nothing worse than getting an audience question that shows you misunderstood the issue or left an important piece out. It makes your entire speech look weak and unconvincing.

Before you start writing a single word of your speech, be sure to do lots of research on all sides of the topic. Look at different sources and points of view to be sure you're getting the full picture, and if you know any experts on the topic, be sure to ask their opinion too.

Consider All the Angles

Persuasive speech topics are rarely black and white, which means there will be multiple sides and viewpoints on the topic. For example, for the topic "Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?" there are two obvious viewpoints: everyone should be allowed to own a pit bull if they want to, and no one should be allowed to own a pit bull. But there are other options you should also consider: people should only own a pit bull if they pass a dog training class, people should be able to own pit bulls, but only if it's the only dog they own, people should be able to own pi tbulls but only if they live a certain distance from schools, people should be able to own pit bulls only if the dog passes an obedience class, etc.

Thinking about all these angles and including them in your speech will make you seem well-informed on the topic, and it'll increase the quality of your speech by looking at difference nuances of the issue.

Know Your Audience

Whenever you give a speech, it's important to consider your audience, and this is especially true for persuasive speeches when you're trying to convince people to believe a certain viewpoint. When writing your speech, think about what your audience likely already knows about the topic, what they probably need explained, and what aspects of the topic they care about most. Also consider what the audience will be most concerned about for a certain topic, and be sure to address those concerns.

For example, if you're giving a speech to a Catholic organization on why you think priests should be allowed to marry, you don't need to go over the history of Catholicism or its core beliefs (which they probably already know), but you should mention any research or prominent opinions that support your view (which they likely don't know about). They may be concerned that priests who marry won't be as committed to God or their congregations, so be sure to address those concerns and why they shouldn't worry about them as much as they may think. Discussing your topic with people (ideally those with viewpoints similar to those of your future audience) before you give your speech is a good way to get a better understanding of how your audience thinks.

More Resources for Writing Persuasive Speeches

If you need more guidance or just want to check out some examples of great persuasive writing, consider checking out the following books:

• Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History by William Safire—This collection of great speeches throughout history will help you decide how to style your own argument.
• The Essentials of Persuasive Public Speaking by Sims Wyeth—For quick direct tips on public speaking, try this all-purpose guide.
• Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo—This popular book breaks down what makes TED talks work and how you can employ those skills in your own presentations.
• We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman—These two recent speeches by contemporary writers offer stellar examples of how to craft a compelling (and engaging) argument.

Conclusion: Persuasive Speech Ideas

Good persuasive speech topics can be difficult to think of, but in this guide we've compiled a list of 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for you to look through.

The best persuasive speech ideas will be on a topic you're interested in, aren't overdone, and will be about something your audience cares about.

After you've chosen your topic, keep these three tips in mind when writing your persuasive speech:

• Do your research
• Consider all the angles
• Know your audience

What's Next?

Now that you have persuasive speech topics, it's time to hone your persuasive speech techniques. Find out what ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos are and how to use them here .

Looking to take your persuasive technique from speech to sheets (of paper)? Get our three key tips on how to write an argumentative essay , or learn by reading through our thorough breakdown of how to build an essay, step by step .

Want a great GPA? Check out our step-by-step guide to getting good grades in high school so you can have a stellar transcript.

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Still trying to figure out your courses? Check out our expert guide on which classes you should take in high school.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

• Homework Tips
• Learning Styles & Skills
• Study Methods
• Time Management
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

There is a small but important difference between planning a persuasive speech and writing a persuasive essay. First, if you are planning a persuasive speech, you should think about a topic that can engage your audience. For this reason, you may want to consider a few topics before settling on the one that allows you to be more descriptive and entertaining.

Another important factor when picking a persuasive speech topic is to choose one that can provoke your audience. If you stir up a little emotion in your audience members, you'll keep their attention. The list below is provided to help you brainstorm. Choose a topic from this list or use the list to generate an idea of your own.

• Studying martial arts is good for mind and health.
• Competitive sports can teach us about life.
• Reality shows are exploiting people.
• Community service should be a graduation requirement for all high school students.
• The characteristics that make a person a hero.
• It's important to grow things in a garden.
• Violent video games are dangerous.
• Lyrics in a song can impact our lives.
• Traveling and studying abroad are positive experiences.
• Journal writing is therapeutic.
• You should spend time with your grandparents.
• A laptop is better than a tablet.
• Religion and science can go hand in hand.
• School uniforms are good.
• All-female colleges and all-male colleges are bad.
• Multiple choice tests are better than essay tests .
• We should not spend money on space exploration.
• Open-book tests are as effective as closed-book tests.
• Security cameras keep us safer.
• Parents should have access to students' grades.
• Small classes are better than big classes.
• You need to start saving for retirement now.
• Credit cards are harmful to college students.
• We should have a royal family.
• We should protect endangered animals.
• Texting while driving is dangerous.
• You can write a novel.
• Recycling should be required in the U.S.
• State colleges are better than private colleges.
• Private colleges are better than state colleges.
• We should do away with penny coins.
• Fast food containers hurt the environment.
• Plastic straws are harmful to the environment.
• You can eat and enjoy healthy snacks.
• You can become a millionaire.
• Dogs are better pets than cats.
• You should own a bird.
• It's unethical to keep birds in cages.
• Liberal arts degrees prepare graduates to be better workers than other degrees.
• Hunting animals should be banned.
• Football is a dangerous sport.
• School days should start later.
• Night school is better than day school.
• Technical training is better than a college degree.
• Immigration laws should be more lenient.
• Students should be able to choose their schools.
• Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
• Grass lawns should be prohibited.
• Sharks should be protected.
• We should do away with cars and go back to horse and carriage for transportation.
• We should use more wind power.
• We should pay more taxes.
• We should do away with taxes.
• Teachers should be tested like students.
• We should not interfere in the affairs of other countries.
• Every student should join a club.
• Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling.
• People should stay married for life.
• Smoking in public should be illegal.
• College students should live on campus .
• Parents should let students fail.
• Giving to charity is good.
• Education makes us happier people.
• T​he ​ death penalty should be outlawed.
• Bigfoot is real.
• We should increase train travel to save the environment.
• We should read more classic books.
• Fame is bad for young children.
• Athletes should stay loyal to teams.
• We should reform our prisons.
• Juvenile offenders should not go to boot camps.
• Abraham Lincoln was the best president.
• Abraham Lincoln gets too much credit.
• Students should be allowed to have cell phones in elementary, middle, and high school.
• College student-athletes should be paid for playing.
• Elderly citizens on fixed income should receive free public transportation.
• Colleges and universities should be free to attend.
• All American citizens should complete one year of community service.
• Students should be required to take Spanish classes.
• Every student should be required to learn at least one foreign language .
• Marijuana should be legal for recreational use nationwide.
• Commercial testing of products on animals should no longer be allowed.
• High school students should be required to participate in at least one team sport.
• The drinking age in the U.S. should be 25.
• Replacing fossil fuels with cheaper alternative energy options should be mandated.
• Churches need to contribute their share of taxes.
• The Cuba embargo should be maintained by the U.S.
• America should replace income taxes with a nationwide flat tax.
• Once they reach the age of 18, all U.S. citizens should be automatically registered to vote .
• Doctor-assisted suicide should be legal.
• Spammers—people who bombard the internet with unsolicited email—should be banned from sending junk mail.
• Every automobile driver should be required to take a new driver's test every three years.
• Electroshock treatment is not a humane form of therapy.
• Global warming is not real.
• Single-parent adoption should be encouraged and promoted.
• Gun companies should be held accountable for gun crimes.
• Human cloning is not moral.
• Religion does not belong in public education.
• Juveniles should not be tried as adults.
• American workers should be guaranteed a three-day weekend by law.
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13 Speeches in English for Listening and Speaking Practice

Giving a speech in front of a whole room of people can be pretty scary. Especially if you are giving a speech in English as a non-native speaker.

But you can learn from the best.

You can watch videos of famous, effective speeches in English to learn how to do it the right way .

In this post we will share 13 amazing speeches in English that you can use to become a more confident speaker yourself.

1. Speech on Kindness by a 10-year-old Girl

2. “the effects of lying” by georgia haukom, 3. “education for all” by cameron allen, 4. gender equality speech by emma watson, 5. “rocky balboa speech” by sylvester stallone, 6. 2008 presidential acceptance speech by president barack obama, 7. “this is water” speech by david foster wallace, 8. “the great dictator speech” by charlie chaplin, 9. 2018 golden globe speech by oprah winfrey, 10. “i have a dream” speech by martin luther king jr., 11. “the gettysburg address” by abraham lincoln, 12. “britain does owe reparations” by shashi tharoor, 13. mark antony’s speech by william shakespeare, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Level: Beginner

Do you think people should be kind to one another? This speaker sure does. And she knows how to convince you of the same.

This is a perfect informative speech for beginner English learners . The speaker is a child who is able to speak fluently but with simple words . She also uses her gestures and facial expressions to communicate her emotions with the audience.

This speech is perfect for listening practice . However, learners should be aware that her pauses are not perfect. Learners should focus more on her words and the content of the speech than her intonation or pacing while practicing.

Even though the speaker is a student in the fourth grade, her speech is one of the most interactive speeches I have seen. She starts with a game and is able to make her main point through the game itself.

English learners will enjoy her speech especially because the vocabulary she uses is simple and can be easily learned. But it does not feel like a beginner wrote this speech because she uses her words so well.

If you want to learn the art of making basic arguments while speaking, you should watch this speech. She is able to convince her audience because she is able to connect with them through games and stories.

She also uses scientific studies to back up (support) her main points.

Level: Intermediate

This is a short and simple speech about why everyone in the world should get an education. Because the speaker is a child, the speech does not have complex words or sentence structures.

This is also a classic example of an informative speech. The speaker presents the main argument and the facts simply and clearly . She also gives the basic definitions of important terms in the speech itself.

This speech is perfect for English listening and speaking practice because it is so short but also full of useful information. It is also a good example of the standard American English accent .

Emma Watson is a famous English actress who is best known for her role in the “Harry Potter” movie series as Hermione. She is also a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador .

In this speech, she is trying to both inform and convince the audience  of why men should support feminism. Feminism is a movement that asks for equal rights and opportunities for women.

She mixes her formal tone with personal stories to do this. The speech is also a good example of British English .

This is a speech taken from the movie “Rocky Balboa.”  In this scene, Rocky, played by Sylvester Stallone, is talking to his son.

His speech is a classic example of a motivational speech . In these kinds of speeches, a person tries to inspire someone else, especially when the listener feels hopeless or is full of shame.

The basic message of the speech is that no matter how strong a person is, he or she will always face difficulties. And even though the message does not sound positive, Stallone’s way of speaking still makes it inspiring.

Stallone is able to communicate his message with love, even though he is criticizing his son and telling him difficult facts about the world. Generally, this is called “tough love” in English.

Listeners should also notice how he uses gestures to make his point .

Compare this speech with the Oprah Winfrey and Martin Luther King speeches (later in this list). All of them inspire their audiences but have really different tones. Stallone’s speech is the most informal and personal while Martin Luther King’s speech is the most formal and written for a large audience. All these speeches are in American English.

Barack Obama was the first African American elected as president by U.S. citizens. He gave this speech after he won the election.

English learners can discover a lot from his speech. Obama talks about the most important issues Americans were facing back then and are still important to them. He also uses a kind of American English that is easy to understand . His speech is mainly about the values that he and Americans stand for.

Obama’s accent is a mixture of standard American English and the way of speaking commonly popular in African American communities. He is an expert in using pauses so that the audience can follow his words without breaking his rhythm.

As the speech is longer than most others on this list, you may want to listen to it in parts rather than beginning-to-end.

Level: Advanced

This speech is a perfect example of the mixture of casual and formal English . David Foster Wallace was an award-winning American writer who wrote about the culture of the U.S.

In this speech, he talks about the value of an education in liberal arts (general academic subjects, as opposed to technical/professional training). He believes that this kind of education teaches you how to think and think about others.

This is a good example of American English. Be aware that in some parts of the speech he also uses swear words (rude/offensive words) to create an emotional impact on the audience. This is very close to how people generally communicate with one another in daily life.

So, this speech is better for learning casual English even though it is a speech given at a university.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Charlie Chaplin is generally known for his gestures and facial expressions. In this movie, he proves that he can use speech as well to inspire and entertain the viewers.

The movie “The Great Dictator” is a satire about the rise of authoritarian governments in Europe. The word “authoritarian” means a person or a government that believes in controlling others and does not believe in freedom.

In this speech, Charlie Chaplin copies Adolf Hitler , but his message is exactly the opposite of Hitler’s ideas.

The interesting thing about the speech is how Chaplin uses short sentences for the most impact . There is also a lot of repetition that makes it easy for the audience to follow the speech.

Chaplin uses the tone, rhythm and pitch of his voice to make the speech interesting instead of using varied words. Chaplin’s speech can be categorized as inspirational or motivational. It does not use formal words but neither is it casual or informal.

Oprah Winfrey is an American talk show host and actor who is known around the world for her interviews. In the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, she was awarded the Cecil B. deMille award .

Her speech at the award show is about many different topics related to American society. She is the first African American woman to be awarded the prize . She talks about how watching an African American celebrity get another big entertainment award many years ago changed her life.

She also talks about sexual assault and the search for justice in American society. The MeToo movement is the main subject of the speech.

Even though the speech is in formal English , Oprah is able to make it emotional and personal .

Learners should focus on how she uses chunking in her sentences . Chunking is the technique of grouping words (called chunks) in a sentence with a slight pause between every chunk. It also helps with intonation and the rhythm of speaking.

This is one of the most well-known speeches of the last century . Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the civil rights movement in the U.S. The movement demanded that people of different races should be treated equally. This speech summarized the main vision of the movement using metaphors and repetition .

The speech begins by referring to the “Emancipation Proclamation.”  The proclamation (official announcement) was an order by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that freed many slaves in the U.S. Martin Luther King talks about this because most of the slaves were African Americans and it was their first step towards freedom.

Advanced learners can learn about the history and cultural conflicts of America through this speech. It is also a perfect example of the use of formal English to convince other people .

Some of the words used in this speech are no longer common in American English. “Negro” is often regarded as an insult and learners should use words like “African American” instead.

This speech, delivered by the 16th president of the U.S. (Abraham Lincoln, whom we just discussed above) is considered to be one of the best speeches in English .

Lincoln delivered this in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where many soldiers had died fighting a civil war. It was fought between Americans who wanted to ban slavery and people who did not. Lincoln was there to dedicate a graveyard to the soldiers.

In this speech, Lincoln reminds the people why this was an important war. He mentions that the U.S. was created on the values of liberty and equality. And this civil war was a test of whether a nation based on these values can last for long or not.

He honors the soldiers by saying that they have already “consecrated” the land for the people of America. (“To consecrate” means to make something sacred or holy.) He reminds the audience that they have to make sure that the idea of America as a nation of freedom continues so that the efforts of these soldiers are not wasted.

This is a very short speech . Learners can easily listen to it multiple times in a practice session. But only advanced learners can understand it since it has several difficult words in it. For instance, “score” is an outdated term used for the number 20. And when he mentions the word “fathers” in the first line he is actually referring to the leaders who had founded the country of America.

Even though Shashi Tharoor is not a native English speaker, his English is so fluent that he sounds like one. Learners from India will instantly recognize him because he is famous there for his English skills.

In this video, he is giving a speech as a part of a debate at Oxford University . He lists out arguments that support the idea that the U.K. should give reparations to its colonies. “Reparations” are payments to a country or community for some harm done to them. A colony is a region or a country that is controlled by another country by force.

Britain had a large number of colonies throughout the world between the 16th and 20th centuries. In this speech, Tharoor tries to convince his audience that the U.K. should give something for the damage they did to the countries they had colonized.

This is one of the finest examples of a formal speech in today’s English . Learners who want to go into academics can learn how to organize their arguments with evidence.

The speech is also great for vocabulary practice . Plus, Tharoor has deep knowledge of both the national history of the U.K. and the colonial history of India. Apart from the content of the speech, his way of speaking is also impressive and is similar to formal British English .

This speech is part of a play called “Julius Caesar”  written by William Shakespeare. The play is based on the life and murder of Caesar who was a leader of the Roman Empire. The speech is considered to be one of the finest pieces of English literature .

It is also one of the best examples of the use of rhetoric (the art of speaking and persuasion).

Mark Antony makes this speech after Caesar is killed by other leaders of the Roman Empire. Antony was a close friend of Caesar’s and here he tries to remind the people of Rome that Caesar was actually a good man. He has to convince the people that his murderers like Brutus are actually criminals. But he has to do so without directly blaming the murderers.

Advanced learners should know this speech mainly because of its cultural value.

Many words in this speech have been replaced by other words in today’s English. “Hath” is the older form of “has” or “had.” “Thou” has also been replaced by the word “you.”

So rather than memorizing the vocabulary, learners should focus on how Damian Lewis delivers the speech instead. The intonation, tone, pitch and rhythm is similar to the formal English used today. He is also good at conveying emotions through pauses and expressions.

If you keep watching videos of native speakers talking, you’ll get used to hearing how different people talk in English. After watching these speeches, you could look for more speeches or interviews on YouTube. 

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

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The best way to learn the art of speaking is to first copy great speakers. Try to speak the same words in a style that is natural and comfortable to you. These speeches in English are the perfect material to master it!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

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100+ Speech Topics for College Students

Annesha Deb ,

Mar 4, 2024

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Politics, economics, medicine, science, technology, daily affairs, and social life subjects are included in speech topics for college students. Students need a thorough research, confidence, and organised thoughts to speak on these topics.

Speech topics for college students includes subject from variou spheres, such as politics, economics, social life, medicine, science, and more. Their subjects are usually delivered as well-researched topics. Students find arguments either in their favour or against them and present them in front of the audience. 

There are various speech topics for college students. Some are controversial, whereas others can ignite a healthy debate. Nevertheless, students must be completely aware of each statement they deliver. 

Here is the list of 100+ speech topics for college students:

• Should libraries be replaced with e-books?
• Should Bitcoin be recognised as a legal currency?
• Studying martial arts is good for the mind and health.
• Competitive sports can teach us about life.
• Has freedom of the press gone beyond limits?
• How can public speaking help in building confidence?
• Should school students be allowed to use their phones in school?
• The characteristics that make a person a hero.
• Violent video games are dangerous.
• Too much screen time will make children lazy.
• How to procrastinate to avoid work?
• Medical experiments shouldn’t be done on animals.
• A laptop is better than a tablet.
• Religion and science can go hand in hand.
• Should textbooks be replaced with laptops or tablets?
• Is artificial intelligence a threat?
• Why are education costs growing progressively?
• The slow death of ancient art forms
• Is social media having a positive or negative impact on society?
• The free media should be controlled.
• How can we expand renewable energy on a global scale?
• How is deforestation impacting the planet?
• Why are people so addicted to the internet?
• How has technology improved communication in our daily lives?
• Is integrating technology in education beneficial?
• Why is it essential to establish regulations on Internet privacy?
• How has technology positively impacted the healthcare industry?
• Are there any ethical implications of artificial intelligence and automation?
• Why should social media platforms take more responsibility for online safety?
• How has technology transformed the way we work and the future of jobs?
• What are the environmental consequences of electronic waste, and how can we address them?
• Why should there be stricter regulations on data protection and cybersecurity?
• How has technology changed the way we access and consume information?
• How video games can have a positive impact on mental health?
• Is it necessary to implement stricter laws and regulations to combat climate change?
• Should voting be made compulsory in democratic countries?
• Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research and experimentation?
• Is it essential to prioritise renewable energy sources over fossil fuels?
• Effects of poaching on the economy.
• Should pets be kept outdoors?
• Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos and aquariums for public entertainment?
• Should there be stricter regulations on single-use plastic products?
• Recycling paper is going to save our planet.
• Should oil drilling stop in Alaska?
• Should stricter regulations be implemented to reduce air and water pollution?
• How can we promote recycling and waste reduction in our communities?
• Is biodiversity really at risk?
• Why should we pay more to support small businesses?
• Should companies embrace remote work as a permanent option?
• What are the benefits of incorporating mindfulness and meditation practices into daily life?
• How to balance Academics, Social Life, and Extracurricular Activities?
• What are the benefits of building a professional network?
• What are the pros and cons of student loans?
• Why should imported products come with an extra tax?
• Impact of technology on our health
• Capitalism and the role of government
• Corporate social responsibility in capitalism
• Should children’s reality shows be banned?
• Importance of Education
• Discuss the Economic Consequence of Corruption
• Why is it essential to generate fishing regulations?
• Comment on the rise of E-commerce.
• What is the role of technology in combating corruption?
• Comment on the future of feminism.
• Pros and Cons of Capitalism
• Capitalism and the Digital Economy
• Should exotic animals be kept as pets?
• How do we control water pollution?
• Ordinary people should not be allowed to own guns.
• Celebrities should not become political members.
• Gandhi’s philosophy of Swaraj
• Benefits of reading books
• Discuss the importance of the right to education.
• What are the impacts of globalisation?
• Can solar energy save the environment?
• How does the internet influence or block human intelligence?
• Differences in non-verbal communication in different cultures.
• Discuss human thinking and their future.
• How can we save nature from industrial bio and chemical waste?
• How can we achieve peace for humanity and species of planet Earth?
• Is medicine a business or humanity?
• How marketing affects people and their perceptions 
• The challenges of recycling and potential solutions 
• Why is water conservation becoming an important topic?
• Should we use products made with animal fur?
• Is Ayurvedic healthcare effective?
• What do you think can help prisoners rehabilitate and reconnect with society?
• Brilliant ways to make money in the 21st century
• Simple ways to overcome stress.
• Can action movies cause stress?
• Is religion compatible with secularism?
• What are the effects of cultural diversity and inclusion in society?
• Why are women the leaders in the fashion industry? 
• Pop fashion is getting influenced more and more by alternative subcultures. 
• What are the benefits of exercising?
• What is the importance of internships and apprenticeships?
• How to deal with stress and anxiety in college?
• How to find a job after college?
• What is the importance of critical thinking?
• How do you deal with sexual harassment and assault?
• How does YouTube influence us?
• What are the dangers of prejudice?
• Why is there a need for innovation?
• New age spirituality: A fact or a myth
• Comment on humanism and the renaissance period
• Corporate culture: West versus East
• How do reality shows affect people’s mental health?
• Can a movie persuade you with something you don’t believe in?
• Should the government spend more money on national security?
• How has modern medicine increased mortality rates?

Also Check :  List of 10 Novels for Students to Read

How to Prepare for Speech Topics for College Students? 

Speech topics for college students can be from diverse fields. Therefore, students should be well prepared and aware of their speech. Here are some tips to prepare for speech topics: 

• Please do thorough research: Students should know their topic thoroughly. They can read books and articles, get help from the internet, and watch videos related to the topic. 
• Start with an introduction: Students should start with an introductory speech on themselves and the topic they got.
• Organised thoughts : Next, students should follow a hierarchical structure. They must mind mapping the entire speech so they don’t fumble or miss anything on stage. 
• Explain the topic: Students should be mindful and choose their arguments carefully. Further, they must explain the topic clearly to be presented with absolute knowledge. 
• Conclude: At the end of the topic, students should try to conclude the topic. This will reflect their understanding of the topic. 

So that now we have discussed the 100+ speech topics for college students and ways to prepare, we wish all the students luck and success with their topics.

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Speech Topics in English for Students and Children

Many times we have wanted our voices to be heard and also inspire others with our ideas and thoughts. However, we aren’t able to do so in the correct manner sometimes. It is mostly because one fails to find the right words at the right times. That is why we have speeches. They help you attract the attention of the audience and make people listen to you. In school and college, speech topics become a part of our lives. While it is comparatively easy to write an essay, to deliver a speech is an entirely different thing. Proper persuasive speech topics can help you inform and convince your target audience. In order to do that, you need to do thorough research and state valid points to make a good impression.

When we talk about persuasive speech topics, it is important to note that they must inform, educate, convince or motivate your audience. In other words, you will be influencing them to accept your point of view. The finest persuasive speech topics are always stimulating, daring and very crisp and clear. Always remember to choose an interesting persuasive speech topic. It will help attract the attention of the listener or reader from the start to the end. Moreover, make sure to have ample knowledge about the topics, which will assist you in counter-questioning.

When choosing your persuasive speech topic, make sure it is familiar so you can prepare it easily. Further, your audience must care about the topic and must be able to easily visualize them. The main point is to make sure to not choose something that is overdone. Emotional topics help stimulate more emotions and give better chances of achieving the desired outcome.

Types of Persuasive Speech Topics

• Factual Persuasive Speech – Use facts and figures to prove whether the topic is true or false
• Value Persuasive Speech – Argues whether something is morally correct or not
• Policy Persuasive Speech – Speeches that try to advance policies, laws and more.

There are a lot of persuasive speech topics that we consider interesting enough to be chosen as given below. All these persuasive speech topics are relevant and will remain so for a long time. When it comes to choosing persuasive speech topics, your options are infinite. We have compiled some of the best ones to help you make a good impression.

Toppr has done all the thorough research on your behalf so you can solely focus on delivering the speech excellently. In this article, we have listed out numerous important speech topics from various categories for special occasions, on prominent leaders, motivational, persuasive speech topics and more. They are appropriate for everyone from school students to college ones. Our vast collections of speech topics ensure you find anything and everything that you are looking for. Following is a great list of speech topics divided into different categories like persuasive speech topics and more for a better and quick search:

List of 100+ Speech Topics for Students and Children

List of persuasive speech topics.

• Will punishing bullies help?
• How to speak confidently in public?
• Do exam results alone determine a child’s worth?
• Do video games promote violence?
• How to overcome the fear of Maths?
• Should schools have longer recess time?
• Should schools make swimming lessons mandatory?
• What is the best age to own a mobile phone?
• What is better: Paper books or E-Books?
• How to overcome exam fever?

List of Persuasive Speech Topics on Environment

• How will recycling help us?
• Should there be a ban on smoking in public places?
• Should zoos be banned?
• Should there be a ban on animal testing?
• Will banning plastic bags help?
• Should exotic animals be kept as pets?
• Is the government doing enough to tackle Global Warming?
• How to control water pollution?
• What is better: Buying pets or Adoption?
• Why Elephant riding is unethical?

Speech Topics about Prominent Leaders

• APJ Abdul Kalam Speech
• Jawaharlal Nehru Speech
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Speech
• Mahatma Gandhi Speech
• Speech On Swami Vivekananda

Speech Topics about Yourself

• My Aim In Life Speech
• My Mother Speech
• My School Life Speech
• My School Speech

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

Speech Topics on Environment and Nature

• Climate Change Speech
• Global Warming Speech
• Save Environment Speech
• Save Water Speech
• Speech About Nature
• Speech On Air Pollution
• Speech On Deforestation
• Speech On Disaster Management
• Speech On Environment
• Speech On Importance Of Water
• Speech On Pollution
• Speech On Waste Management
• Speech On Water
• Speech On Water Pollution
• Speech On World Environment Day

Speech Topics on Festivals and Events

• Speech on Ambedkar Jayanti
• Children’s Day Speech
• Christmas Day Speech
• Gandhi Jayanti Speech
• Hindi Diwas Speech
• Human Rights Day Speech
• Independence Day Speech
• International Women’s Day Speech
• Labour Day Speech
• Mother’s Day Speech
• Speech On Baisakhi
• Speech On Diwali
• Speech On World Population Day
• Teachers Day Celebration Speech
• Teachers Day Speech
• Welcome Speech For Independence Day
• Tryst With Destiny

Speech Topics on Proverbs

• Health Is Wealth Speech
• Knowledge Is Power Speech
• Laughter Is The Best Medicine Speech
• Speech On Unity Is Strength

Speech Topics for Special Occasions

• Best Man Speech
• Best Farewell Speech
• Annual Function Speech
• Farewell Speech For Colleague
• Retirement Farewell Speech
• Thank You Speech
• Thank You Speech For Award
• Thank You Speech For Birthday
• Thank You Speech For Farewell
• Vote Of Thanks Speech
•  Welcome Speech For Republic Day
• Welcome Speech For Annual Function
• Welcome Speech For College Function
• Welcome Speech For Conference
• Welcome Speech For Event
• Welcome Speech For Farewell

Speech Topics on Social Issues

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Speech
• Clean India Speech
• Organ Donation Speech
• Road Safety Speech
• Speech On Child Labour
• Speech On Agriculture
• Speech On Cleanliness
• Speech On Corruption
• Women Empowerment Speech
• Speech On Unemployment

Speech Topics about Education

• Importance Of Education Speech
• Speech on Education
• Speech On Books
• Speech On Education System In India
• Speech On Girls Education
• Value Of Education Speech

Speech Topics for Kids

• Doctor Speech
• Speech On Money
• Speech On Mother
• Speech On Music
• Speech On Respect
• Speech On Sports
• Speech On Sports And Games
• Speech On the Importance of Teacher in Our Lives
• Speech About Friendship
• Speech On India
• Speech On Junk Food
• Speech On Grandparents

Speech Topics on Public Speaking Topics

• Speech On Article 370
• Speech On Constitution Of India
• Election Speech
• Leadership Speech
• Political Speech
• Speech About Youth
• Speech On Fashion
• Speech On Generation Gap
• Speech On Indian Army
• Speech On Indian Culture
• Speech On Internet
• Speech On Technology
• Speech On Unity
• Speech On Yoga
• Speech On Travel And Tourism
• Speech On Health
• Speech On Importance Of Cleanliness

List of Persuasive Speech Topics on Education

• Should school uniforms be banned?
• Should we allow mobile phones in school?
• Co-Education has more benefits or drawbacks?
• What is better: Rote learning or Hands-on Learning?
• Boarding schools are better than Day schools?
• Dropping a year helps students or not?
• Are PowerPoint presentations a waste of time?
• Having the same grading system for all students, is it fair?
• Should it be mandatory for all schools to have a canteen?
• Are smart classes beneficial to students?

Motivational Speech Topics

• Speech About Dreams
• Speech About Life
• Speech On Time
• Speech On Discipline
• Speech On Happiness
• Speech On Kindness
• Speech On Value Of Time
• Speech On Health And Fitness

Tips for Writing a Speech

It does not matter if you have the most innovative ideas if you don’t execute them well in your speech. A good speech always invokes emotion, is well-researched and addresses relevant subjects. In order to write a good speech, make sure to follow the points given below:

Structure: Always remember to have a definite structure when you begin writing your speech. It is a frame that will give shape to your speech and help keep you on track. Jot down all ideas coming to your mind and then connect them so that each part has something interesting to keep the audience intrigued.

Vocabulary: A speech is meant for an audience that is filled with different types of people. You need to make sure you are using the right words so your message is conveyed successfully to each and every one. Only the right words can express and highlight your message. Thus, the level of complexity must match the level of the audience of your speech.

Relatable: Your speech is what you make of it, if your speech has incredible points but you don’t deliver it well, it won’t work. Try to include relatable things in the speech to make everyone comfortable and deliver it in a humanized manner so the audience relates to you as well as your speech.

Examples: When you use examples, it helps support and proves your point in a better manner. It also helps convince the audience and result in better engagement. Try using just enough examples so people buy what you are offering and also to add that emotional edge to your speech.

Short: The worst thing you can do to your audience is to deliver a long speech. Do not try too hard and sum up your views in a short and informative speech. In fact, the longer you take, the more mistakes you will make. When someone is investing their time to listen to you, make sure it is worth it.

To sum it up, a good speech requires time and effort. Try to pick the right topic if it’s in your hand and express your thoughts and opinions freely, without any hesitance. Consistency is key, you won’t get it perfect the first time, but eventually, you will get there.

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Speech for Students

• Speech on India for Students and Children
• Speech on Mother for Students and Children
• Speech on Air Pollution for Students and Children
• Speech about Life for Students and Children
• Speech on Disaster Management for Students and Children
• Speech on Internet for Students and Children
• Speech on Generation Gap for Students and Children
• Speech on Indian Culture for Students and Children
• Speech on Sports for Students and Children
• Speech on Water for Students and Children

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

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28+ Easy English 2-Minute Speech Topics For Students

A concise 2-minute speech should begin with a compelling introduction that states your topic’s relevance and importance while briefly introducing yourself. Allocate about a minute for two clear and well-structured main points supported by relevant examples or evidence. Utilize transitions to smoothly guide your audience through these points, ensuring a logical flow. Conclude by summarizing your main ideas, underlining their significance, and leaving the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action. Practising with a timer and refining your delivery will help you maintain confidence and coherence within the time limit.

Easy English 2-minute Speech Topics for Students (30 Topic Ideas)

Here are some 2-minute speech topics suitable for students; they are easy to prepare, and we have included sample speeches for the most.

• The Power of Kindness: Discuss how small acts of kindness can significantly impact individuals and the community. Here is an example: The Power of Kindness
• The Power of Self-Compassion : The power of self-compassion lies in its ability to transform setbacks into opportunities for growth, fostering resilience, kindness, and a deeper connection with oneself and others. The Power of Self-Compassion
• The Benefits of Reading: Highlight the advantages of reading regularly, from expanding vocabulary to fostering creativity. Here is an example: The Benefits of Reading
• Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone: Talk about how failures can be valuable learning experiences and growth opportunities. Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone
• Cyberbullying Awareness : Raise awareness about the adverse effects of cyberbullying and encourage online kindness.
• The Importance of Recycling: Explain why recycling is crucial for the environment and how students can contribute. Importance of Recycling
• Overcoming Stage Fright: Share strategies for managing stage fright and public speaking anxiety. Remove Stage Fear
• The Impact of Social Media on Relationships: Discuss how social media affects friendships, family relationships, and personal interactions.
• Balancing Academics and Extracurricular Activities: Offer tips for maintaining a healthy balance between schoolwork and extracurricular pursuits.
• Discovering Your Passion: Encourage students to explore their interests and find their passions outside of academics.
• The Role of Students in Environmental Conservation: Inspire students to protect the environment through active actions actively.
• Building Healthy Study Habits: Provide practical advice on effective study habits and time management for academic success. Healthy Study Habits
• Promoting Mental Health Awareness: Discuss the importance of addressing mental health issues and reducing stigma.
• The Significance of Volunteering: Talk about the benefits of volunteering for personal growth and community betterment. The Significance of Volunteering
• Media Literacy in the Digital Age: Educate students about critical thinking when consuming online information and media.
• Exploring Cultural Diversity: Celebrate the richness of cultural diversity and the importance of embracing different perspectives.
• Healthy Eating for Students: Share tips for making nutritious food choices and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• Setting SMART Goals: Teach students how to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
• The Impact of Music on Mood: Discuss how music can influence emotions and provide stress relief for students.
• The Importance of Time Management: Explain why managing time efficiently is essential for academic success and well-being.
• The Influence of Role Models: Highlight the positive impact of role models on shaping students’ aspirations and behaviour.
• Ethical Considerations in AI: Discuss the ethical challenges and considerations surrounding the development and use of artificial intelligence, including issues related to bias, privacy, and accountability.
• Impact of AI on Employment: Explore the potential impact of AI on the job market, discussing both the potential for job displacement and the creation of new opportunities.
• Applications of AI in Healthcare: Highlight the various ways artificial intelligence is used in the healthcare industry, from diagnostics to personalized medicine.
• AI and Climate Change: Discuss how AI technologies can address environmental challenges, such as climate change, through improved resource management, energy efficiency, and monitoring.
• The Role of AI in Education: Explore how AI transforms education through personalized learning, adaptive assessments, and intelligent tutoring systems.
• AI and Creativity: Challenge the notion that AI is purely analytical and explore how it can enhance and contribute to creative art, music, and literature processes.
• The Future of AI: Discuss emerging trends and technologies in AI, such as quantum computing, explainable AI, and the potential for superintelligent systems.
• AI and Cybersecurity : Explore the role of AI in enhancing cybersecurity measures, from threat detection to proactive defence strategies.
• AI in Autonomous Vehicles: Highlight the advancements in AI that contribute to the development of autonomous vehicles and discuss the potential benefits and challenges.
• Bias in AI: This section delves into the issue of bias in AI algorithms, discussing how biases can emerge and the efforts to address and mitigate them.
• What makes learning fun: Learning becomes enjoyable when infused with curiosity, allowing individuals to explore new ideas and concepts freely. Engaging activities and interactive experiences stimulate the mind, fostering a sense of discovery and accomplishment. When learners feel empowered to connect with the material on a personal level, whether through hands-on experimentation or meaningful discussions, acquiring knowledge transforms into a delightful journey of growth and understanding. 2-minute speech on What Makes Learning Fun?

More Easy English Speech Topics For Students from various categories

These topics are suitable for 1-minute / 2-minute, or even 5-minute speeches.

• 21 English Speech Ideas on Personal Development
• 21 English speech ideas based on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation
• 21 English Speech Ideas on Equality and Social Justice
• 21 English Speech Ideas Based on Global Health
• 21 English Speech Ideas on Mental Health Awareness
• 21 English Speech Ideas on Social Media and Society
• 21 English Speech Ideas from Technology and its Impact

Remember to check our Checklist for your speech preparation and Overcome stage fright (12 practical ideas)

To discover current and relevant topic ideas, it’s beneficial to stay updated with news sources and media outlets, engage with discussions on social media platforms and online communities, explore academic journals and publications in your field, listen to podcasts and watch YouTube channels focused on emerging trends, attend conferences and events for cutting-edge insights, utilize tools like Google Trends to identify popular subjects, consider local and global issues, and seek input from peers and professors for research gaps and debates. Ensuring the credibility of your sources and considering a range of perspectives will help you select a timely and engaging topic that aligns with your interests and audience expectations.

Which topic is best for a 2-minute speech?

When preparing a 2-minute speech, selecting a topic that interests you and appeals to your listeners is most important. Consider the occasion and your audience to ensure your speech is appropriate for the event. To deliver your message effectively within the time limit, keep your speech concise, focused, and engaging. Remember that the purpose of a 2-minute speech is to convey your message clearly and effectively.

Is a 2 minute speech good?

A 2-minute speech is effective for various occasions, such as introductions, presentations or short talks.

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100+ Good Informative Speech Topics for College Students

Public speaking is a phase many students will go through before completing their academic careers. However, students find it challenging to stand before their class and speak. This action prompts students to browse educational websites, searching for informative speech topics that will help them out.

Coming up with essay topics and informative speech topics for college may be difficult but not impossible. We have 100 informative speech topics for college students to give you fresh ideas for your upcoming speech.

Interesting Informative Speech Topics for College Students

Accessible informative speech topics, fun informative speech topics, college informative speech topics, informative speech topics for high school, easy informative speech topics for college students, good topics for informative speeches, the best informative speech topics, unique informative speech topics, informative speech topic ideas for college students.

When searching for informative topics for speech, you must put all your informative speech topics in a well-structured format. Additionally, writing down your informative speech ideas will help you avoid leaving anything out.

Here are topic cases for informative speech writing.

• Best career opportunities in IT
• How to start an investment portfolio
• How to choose the right career for you
• What are the effects of greenhouse gasses
• Is the media a reliable source of information?
• The importance of validation to a person’s morale
• The worst movie of the year.
• How Hip Hop music affects American culture
• What creates sibling rivalries?
• Dealing with hyperactive children at school

Sometimes, your informative speech topic ideas are meant for a young audience; hence the informative topics should be exciting and easy to understand. Whichever informative speech topic you choose, it must also address current issues.

Here are some accessible informative speech ideas you can consider.

• How does good or bad governance affect policy implementation
• How vital are elections to the youth?
• Disadvantages of student loans
• Does journalism promote good governance?
• Advantages of the public over private employment
• Is it possible to effectively study while working?
• Importance of teaching taxation to children
• Are scholarships fairly handed out?
• How to cater for your expenses while in college
• How competition affects product or service delivery

Good topics for informative speeches should also be fun to help the audience remain engaged throughout the speech. When searching for good informative speech topics for college students, find out what subjects will interest your audience. Do you need some info speech topics or speech topics for college students?

Here are some informative speech topics for college students in 2020 for you.

• How to plan for a holiday
• How much bargain is a bargain vacation?
• How the great wall of China became a world wonder
• How to travel safely in these COVID times
• What is the origin of St Patrick’s Day?
• How did sending animals to space change space travel?
• How did valentines come to be
• Do party games improve social interactions?
• Discuss the beginning of peanut butter.
• Are people with tattoos viewed differently?

You may be a student searching for ideas for informative speeches for college students or informative speeches for college students for an upcoming address. For such occasions, it’s essential to go with informative speech topics college that touches on matters affecting students.

Check below if you’re looking for informative speech topics for students or informative issues for college students.

• Disadvantages of too much caffeine
• When does birth control not work?
• Is there such a thing as a bad memory?
• Effects of alcoholism on the family
• Advantages of getting employment on campus
• College tours; is DIY better than tour guides?
• Should students enroll in college immediately after campus?
• When is it best for students to study?
• Women’s roles during and after world war 2
• Is there life after death?

High school students also require informative speech topics 2021 for their class presentations. When choosing informative informational topics or speech topics informative ideas for a class debate, choose an example of informative speech topics that will help you make a stand.

Here are some informative speech ideas for college students and high school students.

• Sex education should be left to the parents, not the school
• How LGBTQ rights change the family structure
• What is cultural pluralism?
• Internet control as a way of preventing cyberbullying
• Advantages of school uniforms
• Why high school students should engage in political activities
• Is homework effective?
• How effective are online learning programs
• Bunking classes: Right or wrong
• Advantages of extracurricular activities

Are you searching for informative topics for college students or topics on informative speech? Look no further as other sites may give some outdated examples. Here are some informative speech ideas for college or informative speech topics for you.

• Growing your business post COVID
• Ways technology influences business
• Why personal goals are essential for personal growth
• Effects of fast food on children’s health.
• Ways of reducing stress in college
• What your posture says about you
• How dangerous is sleepwalking?
• Does social media cause depression in young adults?
• How effective are safe spaces in college
• How college basketball changed the NBA positively

The interesting informative speech topics need to be catchy; otherwise, you may choose good topics for speeches but your audience will find them dull. Below are some excellent informative presentation topics for your following remarks.

• Discuss the relationship between innovation and technological advancement
• Advantages of cultural diversity in today’s society
• Discuss the benefits of learning different languages in school
• Problem-solving through technology
• Why Steve Jobs is considered the father of technology
• Does violence in movies have an impact on children?
• Discuss technological advancement in medical science
• Discuss the quote, “News is verified gossip.”
• Discuss media freedom about Russia Ukraine conflict
• Is there a possibility of life on Mars?

You may have searched for great informative speech topics without any success. Don’t worry because the following topics to give an informative speech on are ready for use. Here are topics for an informative speech for college students.

• Discuss the connection between Latin and English
• Do you need a college education to be successful?
• Discuss how pop music influenced the youth in the 1990s
• Is war good for the economy?
• Discuss UK’s dwindling land situation
• Japan’s respect and honor culture
• How nutrition influences life expectancy
• Should robots be intelligent?
• How safe is information in the cloud?
• Discuss the origin of golf

Many unique informative speech topics touch on matters that some find pretty sensitive to talk about or are about a specific topic. These informative speech topics may also spark debate among your audiences. Here are some cases for an informative speech.

• Is Jazz music the origin of Rock and Roll?
• Do spiders make good pets?
• How to tell if a rabbit is male or female
• Can music influence a person’s mood?
• Discuss the process of rescuing a dog.
• Should religious classes be allowed in schools?
• Should abortion be made illegal?
• Should the WNBA lower the rim?
• Should the 2 nd amendment be reviewed?
• What are the effects of Finland and Sweden joining NATO?

For an informative speech topic to be termed so, it must be well-researched. These informative speech topics must be interesting for the audience and touch their daily lives. Here are issues on informative speech to consider.

• Should religious clothes be allowed in school?
• Is Jeff Bezos’ space industries viable?
• How old should a child be before joining the school?
• Is nuclear energy feasible in the future?
• Is the death penalty a violation of human rights?
• The earth can fix itself; discuss
• Do mothers make better parents than fathers?
• Is hydroponics the future of farming?
• Discuss the world’s water situation by 2050
• How to make your hobby profitable

We Can Help You with Informative Speech Topics and Papers

Whenever you want ideas for an informative speech or good topics for an informative speech, we are here for you. You shouldn’t have any challenges finding social media research topics , informative speech topics 2020, or 2022 informative speech topics for use.

Do you need any more good informative speech topics, or want a professional to come up with a topic and write an excellent speech for you? We can do that and so much more for you. Give us a call today, and let’s do this for you.

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Speech Examples

20+ Outstanding Speech Examples for Your Help

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Public speaking can be daunting for students. They often struggle to start, engage the audience, and be memorable. It's a fear of forgetting words or losing the audience's interest.

This leads to anxiety and self-doubt. Students wonder, "Am I boring them? Will they remember what I say? How can I make my speech better?"

The solution lies in speech examples. In this guide, we'll explore these examples to help students create captivating and memorable speeches with confidence.

So, keep reading to find helpful examples!

• 1. Speech Examples 
• 2. Tips to Write a Good Speech

Speech Examples 

Talking in front of a bunch of audiences is not as easy as it seems. But, if you have some good content to deliver or share with the audience, the confidence comes naturally.

Before you start writing your speech, it is a good idea that you go through some good speech samples. The samples will help to learn how to start the speech and put information into a proper structure. 

Speech Examples for Students 

Speech writing is a huge part of academic life. These types of writing help enhance the creative writing skills of students.

Here is an amazing farewell speech sample for students to learn how to write an amazing speech that will captivate the audience.

Below, you will find other downloadable PDF samples.

Speech Examples for Students

Every school and college has a student council. And every year, students elect themselves to be a part of the student council. It is mandatory to impress the student audience to get their votes. And for that, the candidate has to give an impressive speech. 

Here are some speech examples pdf for students.

Speech Examples For Public Speaking

Speech Examples About Yourself

Speech Examples Short

Speech Examples For College Students

Speech For Student Council

Speech Examples Introduction

Speech Example For School

Persuasive Speech Examples

The main purpose of a speech is to persuade the audience or convince them of what you say. And when it comes to persuasive speech , the sole purpose of speech becomes more specific.

Persuasive Speech Example

Informative Speech Examples

Informative speeches are intended to inform the audience. These types of speeches are designed to provide a detailed description of the chosen topic. 

Below we have provided samples of informative speech for you.

Informative Speech Example

Informative Speech Sample

Entertainment Speech Examples

Entertainment speeches are meant to entertain the audience. These types of speeches are funny, as well as interesting. The given speech samples will help you in writing an entertaining speech.

Entertainment Speech Example

Entertainment Speech Sample

Argumentative Speech Examples

Making a strong argument that is capable of convincing others is always difficult. And, when it comes to making a claim in an argumentative speech, it becomes more difficult. 

Check out the argumentative speech sample that demonstrates explicitly how an argumentative speech needs to be written.

Argumentative Speech Example

Demonstration Speech Examples

The demonstrative speeches are intended to demonstrate or describe the speech topic in depth. Get inspired by the demonstrative speech sample given below and write a captivating demonstrative speech.

Demonstration Speech Example

Demonstration Speech Sample

Motivational Speech Examples

Motivational speeches are designed to motivate the audience to do something. Read out the sample motivational speech given below and learn the art of motivational speech writing.

Impromptu Speech Examples

Impromptu speech writing makes you nervous as you are not good at planning and organization?

Check out the sample impromptu speech and learn to make bullet points of your thoughts and plan your speech properly.

Graduation Speech Examples

Are you graduating soon and need to write a graduation farewell speech?

Below is a sample graduation speech for your help. 

Wedding Speech Examples

“My best friend’s wedding is next week, and I’m the maid of honor. She asked me to give the maid of honor speech, but I’m not good at expressing emotions. I’m really stressed. I don’t know what to do.”

If you are one of these kinds of people who feel the same way, this sample is for you. Read the example given below and take help from it to write a special maid of honor speech.

Best Man Speech Examples

Father of The Bride Speech Example

Speech Essay Example

A speech essay is a type of essay that you write before writing a proper speech. It helps in organizing thoughts and information. 

Here is a sample of speech essays for you to understand the difference between speech format and speech essay format.

Tips to Write a Good Speech

Reading some famous and incredible sample speeches before writing your own speech is really a good idea. The other way to write an impressive speech is to follow the basic tips given by professional writers. 

• Audience Analysis: Understand your audience's interests, knowledge, and expectations. Tailor your speech to resonate with them.
• Clear Purpose: Define a clear and concise purpose for your speech. Ensure your audience knows what to expect right from the beginning.
• Engaging Opening: Start with a captivating hook – a story, question, quote, or surprising fact to grab your audience's attention.
• Main Message: Identify and convey your main message or thesis throughout your speech.
• Logical Structure: Organize your speech with a clear structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Transitions: Use smooth transitions to guide your audience through different parts of your speech.
• Conversational Tone: Use simple, conversational language to make your speech accessible to everyone.
• Timing: Respect the allocated time and write the speech accordingly. An overly long or short speech can diminish the audience's engagement.
• Emotional Connection: Use storytelling and relatable examples to evoke emotions and connect with your audience.
• Call to Action (if appropriate): Encourage your audience to take action, change their thinking, or ponder new ideas.
• Practice Natural Pace: Speak at a natural pace, avoiding rushing or speaking too slowly.

So, now you know that effective communication is a powerful tool that allows you to inform, persuade, and inspire your audience. Throughout this blog, we've provided you with numerous examples and invaluable tips to help you craft a compelling speech. 

And for those moments when you require a professionally written speech that truly stands out, remember that our team is here to help. We can rescue you from writer's block and deliver an outstanding speech whenever you need it.

With our professional essay writing service , you can be confident in your ability to communicate your message effectively and leave a lasting impact. 

So, don't hesitate – place order now and buy speech that will truly captivate your audience.

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Speech Examples for College Students

Have you ever heard a speech from a famous Hollywood stars like Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres or Viola Davis that gave you chills on the back of your neck and made you rethink your life choices? Have you ever gave a standing ovation for a wonderfully given speech? Have you ever thought of giving a speech that would give others a life-changing quotation that will be their forever quotable quotes? Don’t worry, you can always deliver your own version of a hair-raising and life-defining speech.

• Speech Templates and Examples
• Speech Examples in Doc

Research papers , thesis, essay writing and excuses are always part of your college routine but every now and then, you have to deliver a speech. Here are some college speech highlights to remember and different examples that would help you improve your speech.

1. Catch-phrase

Your catch-phrase or your opening line is one of the most crucial part of your speech because it could either catch the attention of your audience or make their heads turn around (or roll their eyes or make them not want to listen at all). Always start your speech with words that are relatable and “catchy”. There was once a speech given by a college student that started with a word “s ex ” and that got the class’ attention (and your attention) but the thing is that word is not at all related to the topic but you get to achieve your first goal anyways.

Always remember that this opening line would serve as their first impression, so you might as well let them remember you in a good way.

2. Always remember that your audience are college students

According to study, college students usually lose their focus when listening to a 20 minute-talk in a forum or speech. Set the time limit on whatever your speech would be. Make a short but precise and direct speech that could be heard and be remembered by the students. Also try throwing jokes every now and then.

3. Pause or Pausing

Let us all go back to the catch-phrase, “s ex ” — after the speaker said this, there was a few seconds of pause to let the audience process the word or to at least let them think again about the said line. “ And that ladies and gentlemen got your attention ” as the speaker continues.

Always remember when to pause. Do not pause for a very long time and do not pause in between the intensity of your speech as this is the part where they would actually want to listen and you don’t want to lose their attention. Also, do not pause in the part that where you will be finishing your speech as the listeners would want to hear the conclusion of it.

4. Intonation

Intonation is what we call the rise and fall of the voice when speaking and this is the part where you could put emphasis or emotions to words. Take time to practice when to raise your voice and when to put emphasis. Another trick would be raising your voice when you think and feel that your audience is losing contact.

Good intonation would actually help you and your audience to focus on your speech. Good intonation would include putting emphasis in the right “yous” in the speech. For example when Ashley Graham gave a speech to Glamour’s International Day of the Girl, she tackled the importance of knowing the beauty beyond size. She also had said in her speech, “ YOU is fine ” and was going on with the speech emphasizing the word “you”. “ You is fine ” is short but effective.

5. Hand Gesture

When your voice is rising and falling every now and then, why not add some actions and do some hand gesture? Hand gesture is a good way of showing your audience that this speech is not a joke and you want your audience to listen and look at you, and even take down notes. In relation to intonation, you could use hand gestures like pointing to the audience when saying “you!” to be more convincing. You can also use hand gestures like showing your three fingers while saying “take note of this 3 points, first…” while also snapping the fingers once in awhile just to keep the crowd awake.

The tricky part of hand gesture is sometimes using it in a wrong way. Some hand gestures can be offensive and the best way to avoid it is always know your crowd. Know that with the right amount of hand movement, you can hide the shaking of your hands from the audience.

6. Body Posture

Slouching is the one of the many bad habits we can’t just get rid off but slouching isn’t something you would do when reciting a speech. The moment you decided to slouch is the moment you are giving your audience a chance to think that you are no longer in control.

A good body posture indicates professionalism and in giving speech, you want to show your audience a high level of professionalism.

7. Structure

A good speech comes from a good structure. Structure includes the connection or the relation of the different parts or aspects of something complex. You must create a structure for your speech and surely, the rest would follow. Structure would cover your opening line, your topic, the body of the speech , conclusion and closing remarks. A structure could also serve as an outline for your speech since this is where you try to connect everything at once. You also need to look at the transition as your structure must include when and how to transition the speech from A to Z.

8. Right Location

When you are too nervous or lost, finding a right location in the classroom or stage would help. Look for a spot where the audience could see you and where you can see everyone in the audience. Also, find a spot where you could easily do a hand gesture free of objects, decorations and other display materials.

Have you ever wondered how a good public speaker does his thing confidently? Have you ever noticed them breathing in/out and changing position before they start? That is because they were standing in the right spot.

9. C hoose a topic that you know

There is a numerous list of topics you can find on the internet but always remember to choose a topic that is familiar to you as well as the audience, and also a topic which interests you personally.

Here are few topics:

• Poverty. This is an easy topic since poverty is still prevalent around the globe. You may also want touch on subjects like debts since this causes poverty and college students have school loans/debts to pay. On the other hand, you can use poverty as a topic use to scare your audience if that they don’t finish their studies or they don’t work, they will end up broke (not unless they’re Bill Gates or Steve Jobs).
• Effects of US’ Foreign Policy: “Pivot to Asia”. This is a smart topic but would require time for research. This is also a topic that will touch on economy, culture, and the effects of western policies to the east, and vice versa.
• The Means of Social Media. This is an easy topic since almost everyone is on social media. This is like an every dose for college student — a means of escape. You can actually start your speech by taking a selfie and posting it online then announcing “ I just posted a selfie on Facebook but what difference does it make? ” This topic is very much relatable to the younger generation who are more adept and exposed to social media.

• Accessibility to Education.  This topic would include online education or satellite campuses wherein you can go to school anywhere and anytime you want. You could actually want to open your with lines like “Have you ever wanted to a class on top of the mountain?” Everyone just wants to go here and there and do everything all at once. Why not open a topic that would give interest to both faculty and students. These people always claimed to be busy all the time, give them a topic that would give them their imagination come to words.

There are other topics you could find on the internet but these are just a few you can choose.

Don’t forget to relax and remember the tips when doing a speech mentioned above. If ever you have to do it over again, it will be much easier and probably be less nerve wracking.

Speech Generator for College Students

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100 Inspirational Speech Topic Ideas for College Students

Written by Shiksha Press

Published on: February 26, 2024

Best Inspirational Speech Topics / Ideas for Students in English

Inspiring Motivational Speech Topics for College Students: Hello Readers, today we are going to be exploring an exciting array of 100 motivational topics for students, which are perfect for college settings and beyond.

Table of Contents

Explore the world of good motivational topics that can empower and inspire the youth.

Whether you’re finding a speech topic for a college event or searching for the best speech title for a motivational speech , our guide has it all. From detailed insights to a free motivational topics for youth PDF (Given Below) , we have got everything to help you prepare an engaging 2-minute speech that resonates.

Join us on this journey to inspire and transform with your words.

27 Best speech topics suitable for college students

Best tips for college students on inspirational speech topics.

Choose a Topic That Truly Resonates: Initially, pick a subject you’re genuinely passionate about. Your natural enthusiasm will be contagious.

Understand Your Audience: Take the time to grasp the interests and challenges faced by your fellow college students. Tailoring your message makes it more impactful.

Share Your Personal Stories: By sharing your own experiences, you can create a more engaging and relatable narrative.

Maintain a Positive Tone: Always focus on uplifting outcomes and viable solutions. Aim to inspire hope and prompt action.

Communicate with Simplicity: Strive for clarity and conciseness in your language. Avoiding complicated jargon makes your message accessible.

Craft a Strong Opening: A compelling introduction can captivate your audience right from the start.

Incorporate Visuals Thoughtfully: If applicable, enhance your message with relevant images or short videos.

Consistently Practice: Regular rehearsal can significantly improve your delivery and ease your nerves.

Actively Engage Your Audience: Encourage dialogue by asking questions and inviting audience interaction, making the experience more dynamic.

Conclude with Momentum: Finally, end your speech with a powerful statement or a clear call to action, leaving a memorable impression.

100 motivational speech topics for College students

Here are motivational speech topics for college students, each with a concise one-line description:

1. Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone to Success

Discuss how failures lead to growth and success through resilience and learning.

2. The Power of Setting Goals

Highlight the importance of setting realistic goals and the steps to achieving them.

3. Overcoming Procrastination: Steps to Take Action

Provide strategies to defeat procrastination and foster a more productive lifestyle.

4. Building Self-Confidence: Believe in Your Potential

Explore methods to boost self-confidence and its impact on personal success.

5. Time Management: Making Every Second Count

Offer techniques for effective time management to balance life and academics.

6. The Importance of Resilience in Overcoming Adversity

Discuss building resilience to thrive despite life’s challenges.

7. Networking: Building Relationships for Success

Outline the benefits of networking and tips for creating meaningful connections.

8. Maintaining a Healthy Mind and Body for Academic Success

Connect the dots between physical well-being and academic performance.

9. The Role of Creativity and Innovation in Shaping the Future

Inspire students to leverage creativity and innovation in problem-solving and career growth.

10. Cultivating a Positive Attitude for Lifelong Success

Stress the importance of positivity and its role in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

90 additional motivational speech topics for college students

each with a concise one-line description:

11. Finding Your Passion and Pursuing It

Encourage students to discover and pursue their passions for a fulfilling career.

12. The Impact of Mindfulness on Academic Performance

Discuss the benefits of mindfulness practices for improving focus and reducing stress.

13. Learning from Diversity: Embracing Different Perspectives

Highlight the importance of diversity and learning from various cultural perspectives.

14. Effective Communication Skills for Success

Offer strategies for improving communication skills in personal and professional settings.

15. The Power of Perseverance in Achieving Goals

Motivate students to persist through challenges to achieve their long-term objectives.

16. Adapting to Change: Thriving in a Dynamic World

Discuss strategies for successfully adapting to change and overcoming fear of the unknown.

17. Financial Literacy: Managing Your Money Wisely

Provide tips for budgeting, saving, and investing to secure financial well-being.

18. Coping with Academic Pressure and Stress

Offer advice on managing academic stress and maintaining mental health.

19. The Importance of Teamwork and Collaboration

Highlight the benefits of working in teams and how to collaborate effectively.

20. Turning Your Dreams into Reality

Inspire students to set high aspirations and work diligently towards achieving them.

21. Leadership: Being a Positive Influence

Discuss the qualities of effective leadership and how to inspire others.

22. The Role of Mentorship in Personal Development

Explain how mentorship can guide and accelerate personal and professional growth.

23. Overcoming Fear of Failure

Provide methods to confront and overcome the fear of making mistakes.

24. Self-Discipline: The Key to Success

Stress the importance of self-discipline in achieving academic and personal goals.

25. The Benefits of Continuous Learning and Growth

Encourage a mindset of lifelong learning and personal development.

26. Navigating College Life: Tips for Success

Offer practical advice for managing the challenges and opportunities of college life.

27. Building a Personal Brand for Career Success

Discuss how to create and maintain a personal brand that stands out to employers.

28. The Power of Positive Thinking

Highlight how positive thinking can lead to better outcomes and greater happiness.

29. Time Management: Prioritizing for Success

Provide strategies for prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively.

30. The Importance of Self-Care for Students

Stress the necessity of self-care practices for physical and mental health.

31. Embracing Innovation and Creativity

Inspire students to embrace creativity and innovation in their academic and personal lives.

32. The Impact of Social Media on Student Life

Discuss the pros and cons of social media and how to use it responsibly.

33. Setting and Achieving Personal Goals

Guide students on how to set realistic personal goals and strategies to achieve them.

34. The Importance of Community Service and Giving Back

Highlight the benefits of engaging in community service and its impact on personal growth.

35. Balancing Academics and Social Life

Provide tips for maintaining a healthy balance between study and social activities.

36. Cultivating Gratitude and Appreciation

Discuss the importance of cultivating a sense of gratitude and its effects on well-being.

37. Facing Challenges with Courage and Confidence

Motivate students to face life’s challenges with courage and build confidence through experiences.

38. The Role of Ethics and Integrity in Personal Success

Stress the importance of maintaining ethics and integrity in all aspects of life.

39. Building Effective Study Habits

Provide tips for developing effective study habits that enhance learning and retention.

40. The Importance of Listening and Feedback

Highlight the significance of active listening and constructive feedback in personal growth.

41. Developing Emotional Intelligence for Better Relationships

Discuss the role of emotional intelligence in building strong personal and professional relationships.

42. Overcoming Social Anxiety and Building Confidence

Offer strategies for overcoming social anxiety and building social confidence.

43. The Power of Respecting Differences

Encourage an understanding and respect for different perspectives and cultures.

44. Finding Balance: Stress Management Techniques

Provide effective stress management techniques to maintain balance and health.

45. The Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity

Motivate students to embark on a journey of self-discovery and embrace their unique identity.

46. Embracing Change: Learning to Let Go

Discuss the importance of accepting and adapting to change for personal growth.

47. The Power of Patience in Personal Development

Highlight the virtue of patience in achieving long-term success and personal fulfillment.

48. Enhancing Creativity Through Mindfulness

Discuss how mindfulness practices can boost creativity and innovation.

49. The Role of Fitness in Enhancing Academic Performance

Connect physical fitness with improved concentration, memory, and academic performance.

50. Overcoming Obstacles to Personal Growth

Provide inspiration and strategies for overcoming personal obstacles and barriers.

51. The Importance of Adaptability in a Changing World

Stress the need for adaptability in navigating life’s changes and uncertainties.

52. Setting Boundaries for Healthier Relationships

Discuss the importance of setting healthy boundaries in personal and professional relationships.

53. Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Academic Success

Encourage adopting a growth mindset to enhance learning and face academic challenges.

54. Harnessing the Power of Reflection for Personal Insight

Guide students on the benefits of self-reflection for personal insight and development.

55. Building Resilience Against Peer Pressure

Offer advice for building resilience and making independent decisions amidst peer pressure.

56. The Importance of Curiosity and Asking Questions

Encourage a culture of curiosity and the importance of questioning for learning and growth.

57. Managing Expectations: Personal and Others’

Provide strategies for managing both personal expectations and those of others.

58. The Value of Hard Work and Persistence

Emphasize the value of hard work, dedication, and persistence in achieving success.

59. Understanding and Managing Personal Finances

Offer basic principles and tips for effectively managing personal finances.

60. The Impact of Attitude on Life and Work

Discuss how a positive or negative attitude can significantly impact life and career outcomes.

61. Building a Support System for Academic and Personal Success

Highlight the importance of building a support system for emotional and academic well-being.

62. The Importance of Personal Accountability

Stress the role of personal accountability in achieving goals and personal development.

63. Navigating the Transition from College to Career

Description: Provide guidance for smoothly transitioning from college life to professional environments.

64. Cultivating Compassion and Empathy in Relationships

Description: Discuss the benefits of developing compassion and empathy in personal and professional relationships.

65. Developing a Strategy for Lifelong Learning

Description: Encourage strategies for continuous learning and skill development throughout life.

66. The Role of Creativity in Problem-Solving

Description: Highlight how creativity leads to innovative solutions and problem-solving strategies.

67. Embracing Your Unique Traits and Strengths

Description: Inspire students to recognize and embrace their unique traits and strengths.

68. The Power of Effective Decision-Making

Description: Discuss the importance of making informed and effective decisions in personal and professional life.

69. Finding Motivation in Everyday Life

Description: Provide tips for finding and maintaining motivation in daily tasks and long-term goals.

70. The Importance of Self-Expression and Authenticity

Description: Encourage students to express themselves authentically and the value it brings to personal growth.

71. Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

Description: Offer strategies for overcoming the common fear of public speaking and improving communication skills.

72. The Role of Technology in Personal Development

Description: Discuss how technology can be used positively for personal development and learning.

73. Building Confidence Through Action and Experience

Description: Highlight how taking action and gaining experiences can build confidence and skill.

74. Maintaining Focus in a Distracted World

Description: Provide techniques for maintaining focus and concentration in an increasingly distracted world.

75. The Importance of Honesty and Transparency

Description: Stress the importance of honesty and transparency in building trust and credibility.

76. Understanding the Power of Language and Communication

Description: Explore how effective communication and language can influence thoughts, actions, and relationships.

77. The Impact of Personal Values on Life Choices

Description: Discuss how personal values and ethics influence decision-making and life direction.

78. Learning from Others’ Experiences and Mistakes

Description: Encourage learning from the experiences and mistakes of others as a valuable educational tool.

79. The Power of Saying No: Setting Personal Priorities

Description: Highlight the importance of saying no to prioritize personal health, goals, and well-being.

80. Embracing Global Citizenship and Cultural Awareness

Description: Motivate students to become global citizens by embracing cultural diversity and awareness.

81. The Role of Art and Creativity in Personal Well-being

Description: Discuss the therapeutic benefits of art and creativity for personal well-being and stress relief.

82. Challenging Yourself: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Description: Encourage students to challenge themselves by stepping out of their comfort zones for personal growth.

83. The Importance of Planning and Preparation

Description: Provide insight into the importance of thorough planning and preparation in achieving goals.

84. Finding Your Voice and Advocating for Yourself

Description: Inspire students to find their voice and advocate for their needs and beliefs confidently.

85. The Power of Consistency in Personal Development

Description: Discuss the importance of consistency and routine in personal development and achieving goals.

86. Understanding and Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

Description: Provide strategies for understanding and overcoming the feelings of impostor syndrome.

87. The Benefits of Journaling for Self-Reflection and Growth

Description: Highlight the benefits of journaling for self-reflection, problem-solving, and personal growth.

88. The Importance of Sleep in Academic and Personal Success

Description: Discuss the critical role of adequate sleep in cognitive function, mood, and overall health.

89. Navigating Life’s Transitions with Grace and Resilience

Description: Offer guidance on handling life’s transitions smoothly and with resilience.

90. Cultivating Work-Life Balance for Long-Term Success

Description: Stress the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance for long-term success and happiness.

91. Learning to Appreciate the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Description: Encourage students to enjoy and learn from the process of reaching their goals, not just the outcome.

92. The Role of Feedback in Personal and Professional Growth

Description: Discuss the importance of receiving and utilizing feedback for continuous improvement.

93. Finding Strength in Vulnerability

Description: Highlight the power and strength that come from embracing vulnerability and honesty.

94. The Importance of Kindness and Generosity

Description: Inspire acts of kindness and generosity, emphasizing their impact on the giver and receiver.

95. Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs

Description: Provide strategies for identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs that hinder personal growth.

96. The Role of Patience in Achieving Long-Term Goals

Description: Stress the necessity of patience and perseverance in achieving long-term aspirations.

97. Embracing Different Learning Styles for Academic Success

Description: Discuss the importance of recognizing and embracing different learning styles for optimal academic performance.

98. The Power of Gratitude in Transforming Your Life

Description: Encourage cultivating a habit of gratitude and its transformative power on mindset and relationships.

99. Overcoming Comparison: Finding Your Unique Path

Description: Motivate students to focus on their unique journey without falling into the trap of comparison.

100. The Importance of Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability

More Speech Topics Ideas For Young Students

Personal and Motivational Speech Topic Ideas

• From Fear to Focus: Overcoming Stage Fright and Delivering a Powerful Speech
• Building Confidence: Finding Your Inner Voice and Standing Tall
• The Power of Gratitude: Transforming Your Perspective and Embracing Positivity
• Unleashing Creativity: Embracing Innovation and Spark Change
• Embracing Failure: Learning from Setbacks and Rising Stronger

Social and Current Events Speech Topic Ideas

• Combating Climate Change: Taking Action for a Sustainable Future
• Mental Health Matters: Developing Awareness and Promoting Well-being
• Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Equitable Access in a Tech-driven World
• Combating Cyberbullying: Promoting Kindness and Respect in the Digital Age
• The Power of Education: Transforming Lives and Building a Brighter Future

Humor and Entertainment Speech Topic Ideas

• The Lighter Side of Learning: Unveiling the Humor in Everyday Education
• The Art of Storytelling: Engaging Your Audience with Captivating Narratives
• From Fumbles to Fun: Sharing Your Most Embarrassing (But Hilarious) Stories
• The Language of Laughter: Using Humor to Connect, Disarm, and Inspire
• Embracing Your Uniqueness: Celebrating What Makes You, You (and Making Everyone Laugh)

Business and Careers Speech Topic Ideas

• Networking for Success: Building Meaningful Connections in the Professional World
• The Art of Negotiation: Communicating Effectively and Achieving Your Goals
• The Power of Personal Brand: Building Your Online Presence and Making a Lasting Impression
• Adapting to Change: Embracing Innovation and Thriving in a Dynamic World
• Finding Your Passion: Turning Your Interests into a Fulfilling Career Journey

Read These Some Speech Ideas for You

100+ persuasive speech topics for students.

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• 100 Best Speech Topics for School Morning Assembly
• 300+ Best Topics for Speech in English For Students
• 500+ Unique Topics for Morning Assembly in English

So readers, we hope you find these topics inspiring and thought-provoking. We trust they will spark your creativity and motivation. Remember, every speech has the power to move and transform, not just others, but also yourself.

Download Best 200 Motivational Speech Topics PDF

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

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

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

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

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

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

Why is speech encouraged in Primary school?

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

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

What is the use of speech in high school?

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

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

1. critical thinking.

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

2. Problem-solving

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

3. Time-management

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

4. Active listening

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

Why is speech required at college?

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

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

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

When can students be asked to give a speech?

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

Classroom/section speeches

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

Graduation Speech

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

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

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

How to start a speech as a student 

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

Ultimate tip when writing speeches or speech openings for students

Write how you speak, not how you write.

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

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

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

What is a good opening line for a speech?

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

Wondering how you greet everyone in a speech?

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

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

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

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

How do you start a speech without saying good morning?

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

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

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

Now if you have ever wondered,

How to start your speech with a quote?

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

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

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

 2. “Imagine” Scenario

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

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

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

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

3. “What If” Scenario

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

Do you see what I did there?

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

4. Rhetorical question

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Statistics and figures

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

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

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

Examples of using Statistics or figures as speech openings for students

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

7. Powerful  Statements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examples of speech openings for students

Speech opening lines for public speaking competitions.

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

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

Speech Opening Lines for Self-introductions

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

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

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

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

• What do you do?

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

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

Examples of opening lines for students

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

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

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

Funny speech opening lines for students

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

Other funny opening line examples:

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

Best Speech Opening Lines by students

1. chase dahl.

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

2. Kyle Martin (The King’s Academy)

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

Presentation Opening Lines

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

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

How to start a presentation speech example for students

A few common ways you can open your speech are:

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

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

You might also like to know:

How to start a speech for the student council.

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

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

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

You can also begin by stating your campaign slogan .

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

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

What is a speech class?

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

It essentially enhances their oral communication skills.

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

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

To Conclude

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

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

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The Most Inspiring Speeches That Motivate Students

We thrive on motivation and inspiration as people. As students, we need as much inspiration as we can to get through some of the toughest years of our lives. Succeeding in life is a goal for many and success means different things for us all. The road to success comes with a lot of ups and downs and it is in the moments when things do not go so well, that we look for inspiration. Perhaps you cannot quite figure out your reflective essay format and spend hours researching how to write a reflective essay. You might be in finals week with a load of studying to do and feel like you are going to fail before you even started. There are many reasons we look for inspiration. If you need a little inspiration right now, here are some of the most inspiring speeches you have to listen to.

2005 Stanford Commencement Speech – Steve Jobs

This is probably the speech of all speeches for students looking for inspiration. Steve Jobs was one of the most successful people in the world and to have this speech available to us is a great gift he left behind for generations of students. Steve Jobs encouraged students to go for their dreams and to see opportunities in setbacks. We are afraid to follow our dreams these days because we always are told to rather choose a career that is stable and secure. Perhaps we should take some advice from this speech and just go for what we want.

2008 Harvard Commencement Speech – J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling has succeeded in the face of adversity. As a single mother living on welfare, she managed to become one of the best authors of all time. The success she has managed to achieve makes us not only admire her, but also pay close attention to what she has to say or teach. If she could do what she did, you can find those reflective essay tips that you’ve been searching for. She said that we need to both embrace and learn from our failures. By doing that we will truly get to know who we are and also what we want in life. That is the perfect speech to inspire students because we are still trying to figure out who we are and sometimes our failures can make us feel like we are not good enough. She embraced her own failures and never gave up. That is just as important to remember.

2008 Stanford Commencement Speech – Oprah Winfrey

This lady is one of the most powerful women in the world and she has become that by working hard and not giving up when everything seemed to be going against her. We admire her courage and her respect for all individuals, no matter what the situation may be. She spoke about the chance she took by leaving school to become a news anchor. The chance she took paid off well, I’d say. Oprah also mentioned that she finally completed her degree and how important education is. She opened a school in South-Africa, which shows how much she truly values education. The lessons we can learn from her life is immense and inspires students to this day.

2012 Strayer University – Martin Luther King III

The son of Martin Luther King Jr made an ever important speech to the class of 2012 at Strayer University. It was both inspiring and motivating. As a civil rights activist, he knows exactly what hard work is and what it means to stand for what you believe. He mentioned how important education is and how the students of this University is making his father’s dream of higher education for all, come true. He also said that the future belongs to the educated individuals and to those who are ready to meet both the opportunities and the challenges of tomorrow. That is some powerful stuff if you really think about it. We need to know that what we are doing is not in vain and that it sets us up for a better future. This speech gives you the will to continue and the inspiration to never quit.

Look within yourself and take from these speeches what works for you in this moment and going forward. How can the lessons they teach inspire you to do better and become more successful. Standing at this point in your life, you need to want to succeed in order to find inspiration. It may seem like the journey is taking forever, but anything that is great takes time to create. This is your story and you are in charge of how the story ends. What do you want to achieve? Is anything holding you back? Answer those questions, listen to these speeches and soon, you’ll be moving forward.

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Fantastic examples and speeches of some of the greats. Everyone should look at these videos and find inspiration and ecnouragement. But, Oprah, wow! Also, there are useful things that can motivate you and show you how to get into an Ivy League School https://www.crimsoneducation.org/admission-support/ivy-league . Sometimes people need just a little bit of support.

I wish any of these people had spoken at my graduation. We had a guy who had worked for NASA & I thought, ‘Oh, he might be really interesting.’ Nope. He spoke in a monotone, had nothing to say about NASA or space or the future, & put everyone to sleep, lol.

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• Welcome Speech For College Function

Welcome Speech For College Function In English For Students

Speeches are an essential component of every professional or formal event. A welcome speech is a type of speech given by a speaker or the function's host to greet the distinguished Chief Guest and the other guests and express gratitude for their presence. It helps to glorify the occasion.  

Everybody expects an introductory speech for an event. And that is because the opening speech sets the tone for the entire event. One can easily attract the attention of the audience with a catchy first line and introduction. So it is very important to make a good first impression.

To make guests feel welcomed, you'll need a powerful speech. Here are some examples of speeches that you might use to impress your guests. These speeches are categorised under several headings. Any of these can be used for your forthcoming events.

Let’s go Through Some Long and Short Speeches

Long speech  .

This form of opening speech for an event is extremely important if one intends to take time and welcome and extend gratitude to everyone involved in making the event successful. 

Good Morning everyone! A very warm welcome to the respected teachers and the incredible parents. I am so grateful to welcome our students to the commencement ceremony (mention the name of the event). I feel privileged to open this event and stand here, where many accomplished people who I admired and looked up to once stood. 

A very special welcome to our Chief guest (mention their name). They truly set a benchmark for multi-hyphenated achievements. They are an entrepreneur, coach and author of the best selling books in our country and even abroad. Their quiet charitable endeavours at such a young age speak volumes of the person they are and the upbringing they had. Thank you for accepting our invitation to address our students who are about to start another new chapter in their lives. 

I express my gratitude to our esteemed Principal (mention name) for their approval. They have assisted us in not just our development but also in enhancing our creativity and knowledge. And last but not the least, a heartfelt thanks to our esteemed lecturers, without whom we would be incomplete as students. They were always here to assist and advise us in unimaginable ways. They helped us with the development of ideas and the execution of those ideas.

Our Principal, professors, other associates, and the administration department have all supported us. I also can't help but admire my team's tenacious attitude, which went above and beyond to guarantee in successfully organising and completing the event. We all also owe a special appreciation to our sponsors without whom the yearly celebration would be incomplete.

We are all gathered here to mark the end of a year and receive our much-deserved appreciation and certificates. A semester has passed, and another year has come to an end. I am certain that you are all feeling anxious and giddy with excitement at the same time. This is the final official ceremony that we will ever attend in our prestigious school/college (mention the name). The ceremony will last until (mention time), after which our guests will give a message to the students. Our students will also have the opportunity to ask questions and converse with our speaker during a question-and-answer session. Tea and snacks will be offered at the end. Please stay until the end of the session to show your support for our participants.

Our Honourable Principal will address the gathering tonight. I'm confident that their speech will not just be a collection of words but a strong motivational speech. 

For all of the freshmen attending the college this year, I would like to inform you that our college toasts its annual celebration with great excitement and festivities every year, creating amazing memories. Of course, preparing for this big day takes a lot of time and effort because it cannot be achieved overnight. It requires meticulous scrutiny of every element, as even the tiniest oversight might derail the entire endeavour. So please give a huge round of applause to all the organisers!

Let us applaud the efforts of all the contestants who have worked hard in order to shine in their performance. We were quite lucky in having the support of all parties, not just for the participants, but also for the backstage crew.

For today's celebration, a variety of performances have been scheduled. We have Dance performances, singing, and playing instruments, and a variety of other activities like quizzes and other competitions. So everyone! Get ready for some incredible performances from our students, and trust me when I say that you will not be able to take your gaze away from them.

After completing the first round of performances, there will be an awards event recognising the talents and efforts of our college students who competed at various zonal, state, and national level events. 

There are no free lunches in the world. Just because you studied here doesn’t mean you are entitled to all the opportunities. You must remember to work hard and earn every opportunity you want. Take every challenge you face as an opportunity for another chance to prove your worth. Also, know the difference between people to whom you have to prove yourself and those you don’t have to. Always remember to have a sense of humour in life. Only that will get you through the tough times. Life is truly special and with patience and hard work, you will certainly make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and for your country as well.  Take accountability for your failures and learn from them. Don’t let anything bring you down. Stay as passionate and driven as you are today. Keep achieving and reach great heights with flying colours.

That is all from me, friends! I thank you all for your patience. I'll meet you after the event. I hope you relax and enjoy the evening.

Short Speech

This form of welcome speech for an event is helpful when the presenter wishes to keep it simple, short and effective without diverting focus from the main event. 

Good Morning everyone! A warm welcome to respected teachers, parents and students. A special thanks to the Chief Guest of the day (mention his/her name). It's an honour to have such an accomplished author and entrepreneur among us. Thank you (sir/ ma’am/ mx) for accepting the invitation to deliver the keynote speech today and for guiding our students for new beginnings. 

Your teachers have guided you in all your endeavours and your parents have constantly supported you through it. This would not be the same without them. I extend my sincere thanks to all the teachers and parents for their understanding and support.

This is a highly multi-talented batch of students in our school. Aside from academics, we value advancement in the arts, cultural activities, and sports. One of the best aspects of our college is that it places equal emphasis on all areas to develop the overall talents and personalities of the students. I stand here, feeling lucky to be a part of your life, even if it is only in a small way. This school is so proud of all you have accomplished and every achievement you have garnered for yourself.   You all have been excellent performers in academics and won so many olympiads and awards. And you didn’t hold back even in extracurricular activities like sports tournaments like martial arts, football, basketball and badminton. Our school has also been a top performer in inter-school events like dancing, singing, speech, elocution and debate. The book club that you have started which is now thriving also shows your innovative side. 

Our students have put their best foot forward to make this college function a success. Preparations have been underway since last month. Let us all take a moment to appreciate them.

Let me provide the schedule for today's function before we get started. To begin with, we have our principal inviting our honoured guests. We then have a speech, followed by the pupils' performances. At last, our honoured visitors take the stage and relate their experiences. Our distinguished keynote guest will then present medals to the students.

Finally, I'd like to wish everyone a good time at the celebration and I wish you all to take some lovely and happy memories with you. I now invite our Principal Shri (Name of your Principal) to speak a few words.

These are samples for a college event. To extend an understanding, let us go through a general guide for writing a speech.

Address the audience - "Good evening to everyone present here!" is an appropriate greeting. Then, using a sentence like "It is my pleasure to invite everyone to our magnificent venue tonight," welcomes the audience to the event. Keep the tone in check. If it's a special occasion, use a more solemn tone.

Welcome the guests - "A warm welcome to all the esteemed guests present here today!" is a simple and clear greeting to use. Use a sentence like "It's so nice to see you all here on this beautiful day" to make them feel welcome. More informal language may be suitable for an occasion with close friends and relatives. Include a few jokes in your speech to lighten it up.

Information about the event - Give a brief description of the event's name and purpose. If it's important, provide the event's name and age, and a little about the organisation that put it on.

Thank the helpers/aiders - Mention at least two people who assisted in making the event a reality. Mention their names as well as the roles they played. 

Engage the audience - Mention any particularly noteworthy aspects of the incident. If applicable, introduce what's coming up later in the event or the future days. Pick the most significant elements and encourage people to stick around for or pay special attention to them.

Ending the speech - If appropriate, express your hope that the audience appreciates the event. Send your warmest greetings to them for the remainder of the event.

Duration   - Keep your discourse to a reasonable length. The event will determine the duration. A shorter speech is usually better because most people just want to get on with the event. Smaller events should last no more than 1-2 minutes, whereas larger and more formal events, such as conferences, should last no more than 5 minutes.

FAQs on Welcome Speech For College Function

1. How to begin a welcome speech?

Introduce the honored visitor, their work, achievements, contributions, and honors. Express gratitude towards them for taking time out of their schedule and attending the college occasion. For more tips and advice, you can browse through the free resources available on Vedantu for reference.

2. How to end a speech?

If appropriate, express your desire that the audience enjoys the event. Send your warmest greetings to the audience for the remainder of the event. For example, you could say, "I hope you all enjoy the exciting speakers to come!" 

3. What is the ideal duration of a welcome speech?

The event will determine the duration of the speech. For smaller events, the speech should last no more than 1-2 minutes, whereas, for larger and more formal events, it should not exceed 5 minutes.

Speech on College Students

College students are on an exciting journey of self-discovery and learning. They are young adults stepping into a world full of opportunities and challenges.

You, as a college student, are not just gaining academic knowledge, but also developing life skills. You’re shaping your future while making unforgettable memories.

1-minute Speech on College Students

Ladies and Gentlemen,

College students are the bright future of our nation. They are the ones who will soon step into the world, full of dreams and ambitions. They are like young birds, ready to fly high in the sky.

College life is a crucial phase. It is a time when students learn to be independent. They make their own decisions. They choose their paths. It’s not just about books and exams, it’s also about life lessons. They learn to manage time, balance work and fun, and handle pressures.

Yet, college students also face many challenges. They deal with stress from studies, peer pressure, and the fear of the unknown future. They may feel lost and confused. It’s like standing at a crossroad, not knowing which way to go.

But, they are not alone. They have their friends, teachers, and family to guide them. They have resources, like libraries and the internet, to help them learn. They have clubs and societies to explore their interests.

In the end, college students are not just learners, they are leaders. They are the ones who will bring change. They will invent, discover, and create. They have the power to make the world a better place.

So, let’s support our college students. Let’s help them learn, grow, and achieve their dreams. Let’s believe in them, for they are our hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Also check:

• Essay on College Students
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2-minute Speech on College Students

We gather here today to talk about a group of people who are the backbone of our future: college students. They are the young, bright minds who will shape the world of tomorrow. They are the ones who will solve our problems and lead our society forward.

First, let’s talk about the journey of a college student. It starts with a leap of faith. Leaving the comfort of home, they step into a world of new experiences and challenges. They learn to balance studies, social life, and personal growth. They learn to handle pressure. They learn to fail, to pick themselves up, and to try again. This journey shapes them into strong, resilient individuals ready to face the world.

Next, let’s talk about the role of college students in society. They are not just learners; they are also creators. They create new ideas, new technologies, and new solutions to old problems. They are the ones who question the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible. They are the ones who drive change and progress. They are the ones who make our world a better place.

Now, let’s talk about the challenges college students face. They face the pressure of grades, the stress of deadlines, and the anxiety of the unknown. They face the challenge of finding their path in life, of figuring out who they are and who they want to be. They face the challenge of making tough decisions and dealing with the consequences. But despite these challenges, they keep moving forward. They keep learning. They keep growing.

Lastly, let’s talk about the potential of college students. They have the potential to do great things. They have the potential to change the world. They have the potential to make a difference. They have the potential to inspire and to lead. They have the potential to create a future that is brighter, better, and more beautiful than anything we can imagine.

So, let’s celebrate college students. Let’s appreciate their hard work, their dedication, and their courage. Let’s support them in their journey. Let’s help them overcome their challenges. Let’s believe in their potential. Because they are not just college students. They are our future.

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US has long history of college protests: Here's what happened in the past

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have taken over parts of college campuses across the U.S., the latest in a decades-long string of protests ignited by political activism — some of which have spiraled into violence amid police crackdowns .

In the past, free speech sit-ins quickly escalated into massive rallies, Vietnam War college demonstrations turned deadly and U.S. civil rights protests ended in mass arrests.

The circumstances of each protest were different, but the story is familiar: Young people demanded changes on their campuses or in the world — and their impassioned demonstrations often escalated amid clashes with authorities.

Columbia , the university at the center of the current wave of protests, has even seen similar protests before, including during the Vietnam War in 1968. Demonstrations led the university to end classified war research and stop military recruitment, among other changes, wrote Rosalind Rosenberg, a professor of history at Barnard College, for Barnard Magazine .

Today's demonstrators also have specific changes in mind, often involving divestment from Israel , citing the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinian people who died in Gaza amid Israel's bombardment and ground assault. That military campaign was triggered by Hamas' incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7, when about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and more than 240 people were taken hostage.

But as campus authorities react swiftly, citing safety concerns and calling in police to break up encampents, it's unclear if or how the current protests will influence the Israel-Hamas war.

USA TODAY revisited four monumental campus protests to explain how college protests have become a staple of American life and often influence the outcomes of political strife. Here's a look at how previous campus protests unfolded — and whether they were successful in their causes.

University of California, Berkeley: Free Speech in 1960s

At the University of California Berkeley starting in 1964, students protested the university's limits on political activities and free speech during the civil rights movement and Vietnam-war era.

"In the wake of  McCarthyism’s  anti-Communist sentiments during the 1950s, public universities in California had enacted numerous regulations limiting  students’ political activities ," wrote Karen Aichinger for the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee University. "At the University of California, Berkeley, student groups taking part in any on- or off-campus political activities were banned from campus."

What transpired were "small sit-ins and demonstrations" that "escalated into a series of large-scale rallies and protests demanding full constitutional rights on campus," reads the UC Berkeley website.

Nearly 800 students were arrested by local police as a result.

The students' protest ultimately worked in their favor. The university eventually overturned policies that would restrict the content of speech or advocacy, according to the college.

"Today, the Movement stands as a symbol of the importance of protecting and preserving free speech and academic freedom," reads the UC Berkeley website.

Kent State University in Ohio: Vietnam War in 1970

The most prolific university protest of the Vietnam War happened at Kent State University in Ohio in May 1970. Students started protesting the Vietnam War and the U.S. invasion of Cambodia on their campus on May 2. Two days later, the National Guard opened fire into a sea of antiwar protesters and passerbys. The soldiers killed four young people – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Knox Schroeder – and injured several others with their violence.

"The impact of the shootings was dramatic," wrote Jerry Lewis and Thomas Hensley in an article for Kent State University. "The event triggered a nationwide student strike that forced hundreds of colleges and universities to close."

The shootings also influenced national politics, Lewis and Hensley wrote.

"In The Ends of Power, (H.R.) Haldeman, (a top aide to President Richard Nixon), states that the shootings at Kent State began the slide into Watergate, eventually destroying the Nixon administration," the article reads.

Today, the protest and shootings "certainly come to symbolize the deep political and social divisions that so sharply divided the country during the Vietnam War era," Lewis and Hensley wrote.

Jackson State College in Mississippi: Racial Injustice in 1970

Days after the shootings at Kent State, police opened gunfire at a college dormitory Jackson State College in Mississippi, a school with a predominantly Black student population.

Black students there were protesting racial injustice, including how they were treated by white drivers speeding on campus, according to the university .

Police received a call that Black young people were throwing rocks at white drivers near the campus. Police arrived at the scene and shot hundreds of bullets into Alexander Hall, according to an FBI report, NPR reported . Police killed two students – Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green – and injured 12 others. The college also canceled its graduation due to the killings and unrest.

At a 2021 commencement ceremony, the university honored 74 of the students who were unable to walk the stage in 1970, NBC reported . At the commencement ceremony, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said police “unjustly gunned down two innocent young Black men, terrorized and traumatized a community of Black students and committed one of the gravest sins in our city’s history," NBC reported .

The killings at Jackson State College and Kent State University national sparked outrage. College students across the nation protested on their campuses, according to the Zinn Education Project , a collaboration of historical content from the groups  Rethinking Schools  and  Teaching for Change .

"The spring of 1970 saw the first general student strike in the history of the United States, students from over four hundred colleges and universities calling off classes to protest the invasion of Cambodia, the Kent State affair, the killing of two black students at Jackson State College in Mississippi, and the continuation of the war," wrote Howard Zinn in the book "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train ."

Angus Johnston, an adjunct assistant professor at Hostos Community College of the City University of New York and a historian of student activism, said after both events: "There was a period of about 30 years or so where it tended to be fairly unlikely that campuses would respond with mass arrests even in the case of admin building occupations."

Nationwide: South Africa anti-Apartheid protests in 1985

Another form of popular college campus protest occurred in the 1980's. Students across the country wanted their colleges to cut ties with groups that supported from the South African apartheid.

"Under apartheid, race restricted every aspect of life for South Africans who were Black, Indian and colored — a multiracial classification created by the government," The New York Times reported . "There were strict limits on where they could live, attend school, work and travel.

Columbia University was at the center of the movement. Students led by the Coalition for a Free South Africa at Columbia University "blockaded Hamilton Hall, the university’s administrative building, leading to the first successful divestiture campaign at the university," reads a summary of the events from the Zinc Education Project .

There was less pushback for protesters during this time, due to a “certain embarrassment among elites in the United States that there was complicity with South Africa’s white government,” said Daniel Farber, a history professor at the University of Kansas who has studied American activism, reports Vox Media .

Columbia University was one of the first colleges to divest from doing business with South Africa and 155 universities followed suit. U.S. Congress also passed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act in 1986, which aimed to prevent new trade and investment between the nation and South Africa.

What is the future of college protests in America?

Free speech experts told USA TODAY that students should continue to peacefully protest in open campus spaces to avoid conflict.

Alex Morey, the director of campus rights advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, encourages universities to remain neutral in times of unrest and not to call in authorities unless a demonstration turns violent. The national nonprofit defends Americans rights to free speech and thought.

"Peaceful protest is a hallmark of a healthy speech climate on American college campuses and it has been for decades – whether it's the Berkeley free speech movement, or students protesting the Vietnam War era or civil rights," Morey said. "Generations of students have felt passionately about certain issues and the open air places on campuses are great places to support their views."

Contact Kayla Jimenez at [email protected] .  Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.

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Unpacking the truth of antisemitism on college campuses

Odette Yousef

Colleges have become a flashpoint in discussions about rising antisemitism. But some on those campuses say the alarm from politicians and groups distorts reality and their motives should be examined.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTORS #1: (Chanting) No peace on stolen land.

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

Those are the sounds of some of the latest campus protests that have broken out across the U.S. over Israel's war in Gaza.

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

That includes the University of Texas and Austin, where protesters directed their message at the governor.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTORS #2: (Chanting) Hey, Greg Abbott. You will see...

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTOR #1: (Chanting) Palestine will be free.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTORS #2: (Chanting) ...Palestine will be free.

CHANG: At least a dozen campuses have seen protests since last week. Many students and professors want their school administrators to call for a cease-fire. Now, these protests largely have been peaceful, and among the protesters are some Jewish students. One of them at the University of Southern California told CBS News this.

UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT: As an Israeli Jewish person, I feel that it is absolutely crucial for me to stand with Muslim friends and peers, especially when they are being accused of antisemitism simply for criticizing my government.

CHANG: But some protests have prompted in-person class cancellations and arrests. Early this morning, police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters outside Emerson College in Boston. And some students and alumni are worried about antisemitism. Former Columbia student Elise Mordos spoke to NPR earlier this week.

ELISE MORDOS: Jewish people deserve to be treated just like everybody else. We're a minority group, and we deserve to be treated equally and fairly.

DETROW: Leaders at the highest level of government are responding. Here's President Biden earlier this week.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I condemn antisemitic protests. That's why I've set up a program to deal with that. I also condemn those who don't understand what's going on with the Palestinians.

CHANG: Yesterday House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Columbia University and spoke afterwards on Fox News.

MIKE JOHNSON: We have to call this madness out for what it is. It was chaos on that campus. I mean, we were looking out to a sea of students' faces with rage. So many of them don't even know what the heck they're talking about.

DETROW: The Israel government has called the protesters terrorists on social media. Republican Congressmen have called for the National Guard to be brought in. Yet many, especially those on the campuses, say that these outside voices are not helping.

CHANG: All right, we're going to bring in now NPR's Lisa Hagen and extremism correspondent Odette Yousef to try to disentangle some of this for us. And, Odette, I want to start with you. Can you just help us get a handle on this current moment? Like, when we hear about this concerning rise in antisemitism on campuses, what is that looking like right now?

ODETTE YOUSEF, BYLINE: So Ailsa, speaking with people on college campuses, what we're hearing is a spectrum of activity that could be considered antisemitic. And in general, those have fallen into three categories. First, there's been speech - targeted hate speech, protest slogans that may make some Jewish students feel unsafe, even speech that endorses the violence of Hamas. This can be very unnerving. But in the U.S., it is protected by the First Amendment. The second category is more along the lines of discrimination and civil rights violations - so students being excluded from activities or groups, you know, perhaps even feeling targeted by faculty because of their religion or identity. And then there's a third category, which is violence and physical intimidation. And that's where extremism researchers pay very close attention.

CHANG: All right, so tell us more about that category.

YOUSEF: So here, I really think about two things. First is hate crimes and incidents, but I also think about conspiracy theories. And we're going to get to those in a bit, but let's start with hate crime data first. So we won't see 2024 hate crime data from the FBI until next year. So instead, you know, many people have been looking to outside organizations, especially the Anti-Defamation League, for numbers. The problem is that the ADL changed its methodology after October 7. After that conflict began, the ADL started to include specific speech expressions in its audit of antisemitism, including certain anti-Zionist phrases and phrases that express support for Hamas. And for extremism researchers, you know, this is not traditional.

CHANG: Interesting.

YOUSEF: I spoke with Brian Levin of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino about this.

BRIAN LEVIN: Creating this kind of category casts more heat than light. So let's stick to things where we already have well-established, yearslong acceptance and vetting of more acceptable things of looking at.

YOUSEF: You know, Levin points out, Ailsa, that this kind of new methodology could potentially dragnet Jewish voices who are proud of their religion and heritage but who oppose Israel's war in Gaza in its count of antisemitism. But regardless, you know, Levin's own data have also shown that antisemitism has been reaching a record level nationally.

CHANG: And you said, Odette, that there's this other component that you look at here, which is conspiracy theories. Can you just explain more about what those conspiracy theories are?

YOUSEF: Yeah. So antisemitic conspiracy theories are like the portal to hate-driven violence against all kinds of people, you know, including Black people and immigrants. In recent years, Ailsa, several major mass violence events in the U.S. have been motivated by belief in the great replacement. And that is a conspiracy theory that baselessly claims that powerful Jews are diluting the white Christian American population. The neo-Nazi rally in 2017 in Charlottesville is one example.

CHANG: Right.

YOUSEF: So it's surprising to hear figures like former President Trump and even Democratic Senator John Fetterman compare mostly peaceful campus protesters of today to those neo-Nazis. Amy Spitalnick is the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Previously, she helped spearhead a successful lawsuit against the organizers of the Charlottesville rally.

AMY SPITALNICK: This was an attempted mass murder that was planned meticulously for months and months in advance by avowed neo-Nazis who had shrines to Hitler. This doesn't mean that there aren't very real antisemites on the left who have done awful things on college campuses in the last 6 1/2 months. But to compare the complexity of what we're seeing at Columbia or on other college campuses to what happened in Charlottesville is deeply wrong.

YOUSEF: And something worth highlighting, Ailsa, about the campus protests today is that all the attention on them is providing an opportunity for another deeply antisemitic conspiracy theory to circulate.

CHANG: Let's talk about that. I want to turn to Lisa for that. Tell us more about what that antisemitic conspiracy theory is.

LISA HAGEN, BYLINE: So to answer that, here's a clip from Senator Ted Cruz from his podcast this week.

TED CRUZ: Cultural Marxism has taken over our college campuses. It has become the dominant ideology.

HAGEN: That phrase, cultural Marxism, goes back to the 1960s. It was used to describe what some on the right saw as a threatening academic movement to destroy traditional Western values. They mischaracterized the work of a small group of intellectuals, many of whom were Jews who had fled from Nazi Germany. So this was a really complicated academic discourse that got flattened by right-wing political strategists into a familiar and false trope about a cabal of Jews destroying traditional values.

CHANG: So what's the impact of this idea of cultural Marxism on that academic discourse?

HAGEN: So this phrase is used by the same partisan figures who oppose diversity and inclusion efforts or teaching about the role of race in American history. And going back to Amy Spitalnick, she has her disagreements with some of the approaches and language used in today's campus protests. And she says Jews are rightfully concerned about antisemitism. But she also has serious concerns about characterizing campus protesters as broadly motivated by antisemitism or violence.

SPITALNICK: And so when loud voices are trying to exploit concerns around antisemitism to advance this broader reactionary, extremist agenda, we need to understand what's happening there. And I'm not sure that the vast majority of people actually see how this is a deliberate effort.

HAGEN: It's an effort she says she's seen crafted intentionally to tear apart Jewish communities and their coalitions with other marginalized people. And Spitalnick says none of that is going to make anyone safer.

CHANG: That was NPR's Lisa Hagen and Odette Yousef. Thank you both so much.

YOUSEF: Thank you.

HAGEN: Thanks.

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Netanyahu Calls U.S. Student Protests Antisemitic and Says They Must Be Quelled

“What’s happening in America’s college campuses is horrific,” the Israeli prime minister said in a televised statement. “Antisemitic mobs have taken over leading universities.”

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By Matthew Mpoke Bigg

• April 24, 2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said on Wednesday that protests at U.S. universities against Israel’s war in Gaza were “horrific” and should be stopped, using his first public comments on the subject to castigate the student demonstrators and portray them as antisemitic.

Mr. Netanyahu’s comments could harden division over the demonstrations. They could also give ammunition to Republican leaders who have criticized the protesters and accused university administrators and Democrats of failing to protect Jewish students from attack.

“What’s happening in America’s college campuses is horrific,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “Antisemitic mobs have taken over leading universities. They call for the annihilation of Israel. They attack Jewish students. They attack Jewish faculty.”

It was not immediately possible to solicit a response from the students, who are not organized into a single group.

A relatively small number of students have staged protests for months at universities in different parts of the country to protest Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas led an attack on Israel on Oct. 7 in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage. Since then, the authorities in Gaza say, more than 34,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and fighting, a majority of them women and children.

The protesters’ main policy demand is that the U.S. government stop sending military aid to Israel. Some students have also called on universities to stop investing in weapons manufacturers and to sell, or divest, holdings in funds and businesses they say profit from Israel’s invasion of Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian lands.

Organizers of many of the campus groups leading protests around the country have said that they denounce violence and antisemitism. But some demonstrators have used anti-Jewish and anti-Israel slurs and other threatening language, and some Jewish students have said they feel unsafe. Some protesters have also expressed sympathy for Hamas, which controlled Gaza before the war and has vowed to destroy Israel.

The protests swelled in recent days at some of the most prominent academic institutions in the country, including Columbia, Yale, Cornell and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The police have responded, in some cases by making hundreds of arrests.

One impact has been to force university leaders to grapple with how far to permit protests, which are broadly protected as free speech, given that some protesters have used antisemitic language. Some Jewish students and leaders also say they see the demonstrations themselves as antisemitic or as fostering antisemitism.

In portraying the antiwar protesters as antisemites, Mr. Netanyahu is aligning himself with some Republican leaders, who have sharply criticized university leaders and the Biden administration for doing too little to crack down on the protests.

Last month, Mr. Netanyahu spoke to Senate Republicans via a video link during a closed lunch meeting and criticized the Democratic majority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Mr. Schumer, who is a Jew, had said in a speech on the Senate floor that Mr. Netanyahu was an impediment to peace in the Middle East and called for a new election to replace him.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a conservative Republican, visited Columbia University in New York, the site of one of the most prominent of the student protests. Mr. Johnson said that President Biden should take action, including potentially sending in the National Guard, to quell the protests at Columbia, which he asserted had grown violent and antisemitic.

The demonstrations are becoming a political headache for President Biden, because the student protesters, and other left-leaning Democrats who sympathize with them, are important constituencies in his hopes for re-election in November.

By portraying the protests in such stark moral terms, the Israeli leader could reinforce Mr. Biden’s political bind.

Mr. Netanyahu appeared to equate protests against his government’s prosecution of the war Gaza with hatred of Jews. He said the protests on American campuses were “reminiscent of what happened in German universities in the 1930s,” an apparent reference to ideologically militant pro-Nazi student groups that, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia , worked with the security forces to carry through Hitler’s agenda.

“It’s unconscionable,” he said. “It has to be stopped.”

Soon after coming to power in 1933, the Nazis passed a law that led to the dismissal of many Jewish university teachers and emboldened student groups to deploy violence and intimidation against Jewish faculty members and students.

Matthew Mpoke Bigg is a correspondent covering international news. He previously worked as a reporter, editor and bureau chief for Reuters and did postings in Nairobi, Abidjan, Atlanta, Jakarta and Accra. More about Matthew Mpoke Bigg