Randolph Speech and Debate

Say It Like You Mean It

Informative Speaking (INF)

Q&A: What to Expect in Informative Speaking

VIDEO: Sample Informative Speech

From the National Speech and Debate Association:

An informative speech is an original speech designed to explain, define, describe, or illustrate a particular subject. The general purpose of the speech is for the audience to gain understanding and/or knowledge of a topic. Any other purpose such as to entertain or to convince shall be secondary. The use of audio/visual aids is optional.

Effective speeches provide new information or perspectives on a topic, including those that are widely known. The responsibility for choosing a worthwhile topic rests with the contestant. A fabricated topic may not be used. Any non-factual reference, including a personal reference, must be so identified.

Audio/visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. During the presentation, no electronic equipment is permitted. The use of live animals or any additional people as visual aids is not allowed during the speech. Items of dress put on and removed during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not be part of the contestant’s presentation. Visual aids may not violate law (weapons, drugs, etc.) The host school is not responsible for providing any facilities, equipment, or assistance in a contestant’s use of visual aids. Expedient set up and take down of aids is expected. If a visual aid displays published pictoral material, the source must be included in the work-cited page but does not need to be cited orally.

INF is a new NSDA main event as of the 2015-16 season! We are excited to see the potential for this new public address event. Interested in learning more about INF? Check out  http://www.speechanddebate.org/informativespeaking .

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  • Dec 31, 2020

Event Overviews and Resources 3: Informative Speaking (Featuring INFO Tips from Mack Kramer)

Updated: Jan 1, 2021

Welcome to A Long Winter's Clap: 12 Days of Speech and Debate Event Overviews and Resources. Today we are talking about Informative Speaking - featuring tips from former Rock Springs Speech and Debate competitor and current University of Wyoming debating powerhouse, Mack Kramer.

informative speech topics nsda

Informative Speaking is very similar to Original Oratory - it is an individual event in which a competitor writes an original speech. Just like Oratory, Informational Speaking one of the few competitive high school events for which students actually write all of the delivered content. Unique to Informative is the opportunity for students to use a visual aid for their speech. Informative speeches are no longer than ten minutes in length and must be memorized by competitors.

Here is a description straight from the NSDA:

“Informative requires students to balance that content with delivery and style. Students in Informative must be articulate, engaging, and smooth with their delivery at both a vocal and physical level. The purpose of the event is to inform and educate the audience on a topic of significance. Students may or may not employ the use of visual aids in the performance.

While Informatives are all different, the structure should provide a framework for the audience to understand the topic. Each main point should explore a specific aspect of the topic the student is presenting. Research is a very important component in Informative. All claims should be backed up with evidence that verifies the information the speaker is conveying. If a student has presented two or three components of the topic in an educational and logically sound manner, it is likely they have displayed an adept command of structure.”

Informative Speaking is another event that encourages students to mine the depths of their creativity and personal interests and passions to find a topic perfectly suited to them. The focus of informative speaking is informing and educating the audience on a novel or interesting informative topic in a way that is highly engaging and meaningful. So, topic selection will require brainstorming, thought, and careful selection. Like Oratory, the options available for topic selection are legion - and this can be a difficult challenge for competitors.

The visual aid presents another opportunity for presenters to engage their audience using visual stimulus, and the aid can be a positive element that takes the speech to another creative lever or it can sometimes be a bit of a crutch that sometimes even slows the momentum of the speech or distracts from the message. There are a few specific guidelines for visual aids too, but there is definitely a ton of room for creativity in delivery using these aids. I think that competitors should strive for intentionality with their aids and think about how these aids will genuinely support and enhance the message of their Informative speech.

All of the same Oratory delivery and writing challenges hold for Informative Speakers too. And again, I would advise exploring classic oration instruction when thinking about engaging the audience. Aristotle’s three keys to rhetoric - ethos, pathos, and logos - are still relevant and powerful today when thinking about crafting a winsome, persuasive, and powerful speech.

Informative Speaking Tips from platform enthusiast and debate mastermind, Mack Kramer - formerly a competitor for Rock Springs and now a member of the University of Wyoming Debate Team:

1. Watch NSDA finals speeches -- I know! Boring. But it helps a lot; each finalist on that stage started in the exact place you are or were, each one of them carefully honed their presentation to be charming, charismatic, funny, and satisfying to watch. One NSDA finals speech can teach you as much about how to be successful at info as an entire tournament can, or maybe even more, if you go in-depth enough. You should do a few things when you watch finals rounds: take notes on their presentation, yes, but also on

the organization, structure, content, and depth of their speech. When everyone’s a killer speaker in a finals round, it comes down to the subtleties in what you say, rather than just how you say it. Take notes on funny jokes they make and why they were effective, or on a particularly emotional moment and how their tone and gestures changed. It really will teach a whole lot.

2. Choose a topic about something you’re passionate about - - There’s something that hits different to both yourself and the audience when the topic you’re presenting on is something you’re deeply interested in or passionate about. This could be anything -- video games, orca whales, traffic, or motivation -- as long as you approach it with an awareness of both the interest your audience will have in the topic as it is, and the depth and spin you put on the topic -- the more you do one, the less you have to do the other. A speech that’s on how Big Hero 6’s Microbot invention is actually real and used today might be interesting on-face to your audience, and would probably need a little less spin

than something like cardigan sweaters. Anything can be made interesting, and that’s tip...

3. Use your passion on that topic to extract more depth in areas you didn’t know existed previously. The best informative speeches are ones which teach the audience something they didn’t already know. What most people don’t realize is that this goes beyond just teaching your audience content, but extrapolating that content into a concept your audience holds on to. Judges are goldfish -- their memory of all the awesome moments of your speech will last about 3 seconds after you’re done unless you give them a reason to hold on to it. Judges are also very self-involved -- they like you talking about them and making them feel important. Put these two facts together, and the way to hold your judge’s attention is to make them feel special, smart, or savvy about something in their everyday lives. This can be done very effectively by talking about the cultural significance of your topic, or how it affects people’s psychology. If you’re giving an info about movies, you might have a section about how mass media has been used to manipulate people in the general population via propaganda, fake news stories, or clickbait, and how your judge is affected in their everyday lives by the little videos they see on Facebook. A good rule of thumb: if your judge is likely to brag about what they learned from your speech to seem smart at a dinner party, then you’ve got enough depth.

4. Memorize holistically - - too often I see people approaching memorization in an incredibly rote way: they will memorize every word of their speech, and then they will memorize all of their gestures and hand movements, and then they will memorize all of their facial expressions. This is an incredibly inefficient way to memorize, because you can cut the time in half by just doing it all at once. Your brain will have multiple cues to act on: you no longer need to pull your next source out of thin air, now you have the context of that source coming at a very specific part of the speech, maybe when you’ve just changed your visual, you’re crouched down, and glancing around yourself suspiciously. Instead of needing to rely on pure memory alone, you can use these cues to prime you into your next portion of your speech. As a bonus, this also gets you thinking about your gestures early in the game, so you don’t get to a tournament and suddenly realize you’re confused on what to do with your hands.

5. Visuals are overrated -- Now, undeniably the coolest part of informative *is* the visuals, but let me explain. You will not be ranked 1st in your round *because* of your incredible visual. You *will* be ranked 1st in your round because of the polish of your speech, your presentation, and your connection with the audience, which are all *reinforced* by your visual aid. In other words, your speech should not be dependent on your visual to function, but it should use one effectively to present your ideas. Think of a TED talk -- those speakers would be just as captivating and charming if you took away their slideshows and fancy PowerPoints. The speakers add those slides to convey supplemental information, in addition to being downright satisfying to listen to. Your visuals should be a supplement, not the whole show.

6. Present well - - This skill comes naturally with time, and so isn’t the same as some of these other tips that are more straightforward. There are a lot of things you can do to help with presentation -- watching NSDA rounds, TED talks, and rounds at tournaments will give you the best resource for honing your own presentation. Past this, you ought to practice these skills like facial expression, tone, or gestures with a coach or in the mirror -- nothing will solidify these ideas more than you practicing them and trying them out for yourself. One mini-tip: when you get to a certain point of polish and memorization, you will adopt what I like to call “oratory voice.” It’s where you basically have the same progression in the tone of your voice, for sentence after sentence. Do not have oratory voice! It sounds artificial, makes your humor not hit as well, and the tonal repetition can cause your audience to zone out. Variety, as in life, is the spice of informative. You should shake it up, and have places where you deliberately break this tone, either by talking a bit faster than normal in some areas or dropping in some deadpan humor

without any inflection.

Notice how only one tip was on the presentation that actually happens in-round. Most of your info prowess will come from the structure of your speech, its depth, and its ability to engage the audience. Part of this comes from presentation, yes, but there’s no substitute for sitting down and doing some careful edits to make your speech engaging to listen to, past the surface-level presentation.

If you’d like to hear more from Mack on One Clap - I will link to Mack's interview about their mad debate skillz, but if you’d like more One Clap interviews about Informative Speaking, you are in luck because I have a great interview with tons of helpful informative speaking content from Marcus Viney. Hannah Hu and Callie Firminhac’s interviews also have some good ideas for platform speakers. Check them out here:

How LD Debate State Champ Mack Kramer Took Debate to the Next Level

https://www.oneclapspeechanddebate.com/post/how-ld-debate-state-champ-makayla-kramer-took-her-debate-skills-to-the-next-level

Informational Sensational with Coach Marcus Viney

https://www.oneclapspeechanddebate.com/post/episode-1-informational-sensational-with-coach-marcus-viney

Oratory and the Lasting Power of Speech and Debate with Callie Firminhac

https://www.oneclapspeechanddebate.com/post/oratory-and-the-lasting-power-of-speech-and-debate-with-callie-firminhac

Hannah Hu Drops Truth About Platform Events & Problematic Tournament Snacks

https://www.oneclapspeechanddebate.com/post/episode-12-hannah-hu-drops-truth-about-platform-events-problematic-tournament-snacks

If you have any ideas for the podcast or would like to help out with content here at One Clap Speech and Debate, send me a message on the website or an email ([email protected]) . As the Speech and Debate season hits its stride, I have less time to create content for the podcast and the website. But, I'll continue to do my best to get usable, inspirational, and helpful content out there.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the One Clap Podcast wherever you listen! Watch for new episodes of One Clap, Rock On! Debate, Coach Connection, and Speech Love!

More links to helpful resources for Informative Speaking:

NSDA Competition Guide:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/competition-events/

Speech Resources Video from the 2020 Wyoming Coaches Conference, Presented by Marcus Viney and Ashley Schulz:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rfw39xqS7k6WBiAGHKodYKhAaH_rMbn8/view

Informative Resources from Marcus Viney:

Informative Handout

Informative Outline

Informative Speaking Guide from NSDA:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Informative-Speaking-Creating-a-Solid-Foundation.pdf

Informative Speech Overview and Topics from Orai Blog:

https://www.orai.com/blog/informative-speech-topics/

What to expect in INFO from a Student's Perspective from NSDA:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/What-to-Expect-Competing-in-Informative-Speaking.pdf

Resources of INFO from Judge Training:

https://sites.google.com/view/judge-training/how-to-judge-speech/informative-speaking

Research in Oratory (Source Evaluation) from NSDA:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Original-Oratory-Researching-Your-Speech.pdf

INFO Resources from JayDebate.com:

https://www.jaydebate.com/informative.html

Intro to Coaching Informative Speaking and Original Oratory Course from NSDA:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/courses/intro-to-coaching-informative-speaking-and-original-oratory/

How to Judge Informational Speaking from NSDA:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/how-to-judge-informative/

Sample INFO Ballot with Comments from NSDA:

https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Sample-Ballot-Inform-Comments.pdf

  • Event Overviews

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Wis. Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Assoc.

Help/FAQs/Rules

High school categories/topics.

  • Moments in History
  • Public Address
  • Special Occasion
  • Storytelling
  • Public Speaking
  • Performance of Literature
  • Wisconsin Speech Category Differences

Scroll down for descriptions of public speaking and performance of literature categories, as well as details of differences between categories and rules among various Speech associations .

2023-24 Topics #

Moments in history #.

Choose one or both time periods:

  • 1970s (1970-1979)

Examples of areas students might consider: politics, military action, historic sites, monuments, natural disasters, ethnology, legends, folklore, science, inventions, medicine, arts,  entertainment, geography, transportation, sports, religion, heroes, villains, personalities, significant speeches, fashion, and fads.

Public Address #

Choose one topic question:

  • To what degree, if any, should generative artificial intelligence be regulated and by whom?
  • To what extent, if any, should schools require community service as a graduation requirement?
  • What actions, if any, should be taken by the government to ensure an individual’s right to privacy? 
  • What standards and processes, if any, should be used in determining appropriate content/books/texts in classrooms and school libraries?
  • What, if anything, should the government do to address economic inequality (e.g., minimum wage, jobs programs, food/housing security)?

Special Occasion #

Choose one occasion:

  • A public apology
  • Address to Board of Education
  • Speech delivered to a school assembly of current students
  • Wedding toast

Storytelling #

Prepare a story for each topic area . (New rule for 2023-24): each topic area number corresponds to the round to which that topic will be assigned at festivals (e.g., Round 2 = story of advocacy/allyship). Students get to choose which topic to perform at State.

  • Mystery story
  • Story of advocacy/allyship
  • Story about money/greed

Category Descriptions #

Public speaking #.

Students write original speeches, and may use one 4″ x 6″ note card, where students are encouraged to outline or include speaking points, rather than word-for-word manuscripts (so they can engage better with audiences).

Performance of Literature #

Contestants interpret literature to convey the human existence, exploring psychology of characters, to mine the artistry of language, and/or cultivate arguments surrounding themes/issues. Key: Book = performed from manuscript; Brain = memorized.

Wisconsin Speech Category Differences #

Summary of rules differences between the WISDAA, Wisconsin Forensic Coaches’ Association (WFCA) , National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) , and National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) .

* In WISDAA all manuscripts in interpretive categories and note cards in speech categories must be paper (and not digital devices). WISDAA also allows students to utilize a speaker stand, if they provide it.

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National Speech & Debate Association

Beginner Informative Speech Breakdown

Go behind the scenes in the crafting of a final round Informative speech with a two-time national champion.

informative speech topics nsda

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

509 Informative Speech Ideas and Topics

Photo of author

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.

informative speech

How to Choose the Right Informative Topic

Half the battle of presenting a speech or writing an essay is choosing the right topic. Choosing a good informative speech topic or informative essay topic can keep your audience entertained, your reader interested, and your own work process more enjoyable. Here are a few tips to help you choose a topic:

Know your audience or reader: Your informative presentation – whether through speech or essay – should cover a subject not already well known to your audience, but still relevant to them. If you do choose a topic they’re familiar with, then present new and exciting information. Consider the age, knowledge level, and interests of your audience when preparing your informational speech or essay.

Consider your own interests: Think of your own passions and areas of expertise that you think people could benefit from learning more about. Choosing a topic you care about will help your speech or essay be better received. Your passion will keep them engaged and curious to learn more.

Consider length requirements : How much time are you allotted for your informative speech? What is the page requirement for your informative essay? You should be able to thoroughly cover the topic in the amount of time you are given. If you don’t think you have enough knowledge or personal interest to talk about illegal drug use among teens, saving money as a college student, or another informative topic for 20 minutes, you may need to consider a different subject.

The good news is that there are countless options available. Below are lists of informative topics for speeches and essays. Remember that, in order to choose the best informative topic for you, you need to consider your audience, your interests, and your time and length requirements. Then, customize the central idea to suit your situation.

Best 10 Informative Speech Topics

Don’t have time to read our full list of 500+ topic ideas? Here is our list of 10 best informative speech topics.

Can We Write Your Speech?

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

  • How to adopt a dog
  • The history of motorcycles
  • The best sales tactics
  • The differences between male and female communication
  • America’s fastest growing cities
  • The importance of education for the economy
  • Different stages of poverty
  • How to cook vegetarian
  • How to keep your skin looking young and wrinkle free
  • The different types of poetry

List of Informative Speech Topics

  • Communication
  • Current Events
  • Environment
  • Food and Drink
  • International Relations
  • National Security

Relationships

  • Supernatural
  • Demonstration
  • Easy / Simple
  • Interesting
  • Legislation
  • Pop Culture

10 Animal Informative Speech Topics

Animal Informative Speech Topics

  • The role of cats throughout history.
  • Caring for hermit crabs.
  • What are the best pets?
  • The lives of ants.
  • The different types of tropical fish.
  • The different exotic breeds of cats.
  • How to raise rabbits.
  • The beauty of wolves.
  • How to adopt a dog.
  • Raising pet snakes.

See this page for a full list of Speech Topics About Animals .

10 Automotive Informative Speech Topics

automobiles in of series car cars

  • Is it better to buy or lease a car?
  • How to choose the right tires for your car.
  • How to make your car run better.
  • What to look for in a new car.
  • How to change your car’s oil.
  • Dirt bike riding safety tips.
  • How to drive a stick shift.
  • The history of motorcycles.
  • How to change a flat tire.
  • The best muscle cars.

14 Business Informative Speech Topics

Business Informative Speech Topics

  • Taking your brand to the next level with three easy steps: promoting, advertising and marketing.
  • How business owners’ personal characteristics impact their business.
  • What is the impact of training and development on employee job performance?
  • Leadership styles and their effects on employee productivity.
  • Engaged employees result in high retention.
  • Developing personal power in an organization.
  • Impacts of incentives on employee performance.
  • Psychological tactics in marketing.
  • How to create a successful brand.
  • The importance of accounting research.
  • The benefits of enterprise resource planning.
  • The benefits of multilevel marketing.
  • The best sales tactics.
  • How to nail the negotiation in your first meeting.

See this page for a full list of Informative Speech Topics for Business .

8 Communication Informative Speech Topics

Young brothers talking with tin can telephone on grunge backgrou

  • How deaf people talk with emotion.
  • The differences between male and female communication.
  • How to be a persuasive speaker.
  • How to improve your conversation skills.
  • Some simple conversation tips.
  • What is neural linguistic programming (NLP)?
  • Why smiles are contagious.
  • How to manage communicative disorders.

4 Current Events Informative Speech Topics

Current Events Informative Speech Topics

  • America’s fastest growing cities.
  • The Occupy Wall Street movement.
  • Poverty in New York City.
  • What is the national happiness rate?

6 Economy Informative Speech Topics

Economy Informative Speech Topics

  • The history of taxes on carbon dioxide emissions.
  • What would be the impact on economic growth if everyone produced their own food?
  • The impact of progressive taxation on the provision of social services.
  • Economic growth of the People’s Republic of China.
  • The effects of price and demand of agricultural products.
  • The importance of education for the economy.

10 Education Informative Speech Topics

Education Informative Speech Topics

  • How EFL teachers can use the internet as a classroom aid.
  • Should teachers and students be friends on social networks?
  • Why is our education system only based on theory and not practical knowledge?
  • Should students be permitted to eat during classes?
  • The importance of formal education for building a successful career.
  • The pros and cons of teaching students three languages in school.
  • What materials work best in a sandbag for blocking floodwaters?
  • Hypnosis: its misconceptions and common uses.
  • Learning disabilities and their effects on learning in college.
  • Are test scores a good indication of a school’s competency?

See this page for a full list of Informative Persuasive Speech Topics .

10 Environment Informative Speech Topics

Environment Informative Speech Topics

  • Should politicians bring more pollution to our country?
  • What would happen if finite resources were not used wisely?
  • Four main reasons for generating genetically modified crops.
  • The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on maize.
  • Are we going to lose the rainforest?
  • The best ways to protect the environment.
  • Commercial crops and their effect on the water table.
  • The environmental impact of a meat based diet.
  • Recycling helps mitigate the greenhouse effect.
  • Why we should stop global warming.

See this page for a full list of Environmental Informative Speech Topics .

3 Ethics Informative Speech Topics

Ethics Informative Speech Topics

  • Is it sometimes better to tell a lie than to tell the truth?
  • Is tolerance the same as love?
  • Is hunting morally acceptable?

10 Family Informative Speech Topics

Family Informative Speech Topics

  • Adopted children should always have the option to see their biological parents.
  • The impact of single parenting and its effects on children.
  • The appropriate penalties for parental negligence.
  • What it is like being the youngest of a family of 19 kids.
  • The importance of the parent-child relationship.
  • My father is my hero.
  • How to pick a name for your children.
  • Cases of domestic violence against men.
  • The importance of family.
  • The history of foster care.

See this page for a full list of Family Informative Speech Topics . We also have a page with Speech Topics for Kids .

18 Financial Informative Speech Topics

Financial Informative Speech Topics

  • How banks are getting paid twice for your mortgage.
  • How to save money in college.
  • How to build credit.
  • How to save money on your income taxes.
  • How to apply for a credit card.
  • The basics of financial aid.
  • The importance of saving money.
  • How to recognize stock market trends.
  • The process of buying a house.
  • The basics of internet banking safety.
  • The best investment strategies.
  • How to live on $5 a day/ Eating well on $5 a day.
  • Tips on how do deal with money problems.
  • The history of our currency.
  • How the US Dollar affects the Euro.
  • Debt relief programs.
  • Does China have a serious stock market?

9 Food and Drink Informative Speech Topics

Food Drink Informative Speech Topics

  • The difference between Gatorade and Powerade.
  • How to cook a delicious dinner.
  • How to grow your own food.
  • The different types of coffee.
  • How to cook vegetarian.
  • How to make a cocktail.
  • The best types of cheese.
  • The best exotic fruits.
  • How to make Chinese food.

See this page for a full list of Speech Topic Ideas On Food, Drink, and Cooking .

11 Fun Informative Speech Topics

Fun Informative Speech Topics

  • The history of Valentine’s Day, the celebrations in different cultures.
  • Some laugh, but there are many courageous people who overcome stuttering.
  • Funny Saint Patricks Day parades, pub decorating, Irish fun runs.
  • Differences between apes and monkeys, monkeys in space programs, how they live in groups in the zoo.
  • Your hand: what your signature, handwriting and your hand palm lines say about your character.
  • Amphibian vehicles – search for information about those rare car-boat vehicles, and you have lots of fun informative speech topics to talk about!
  • Cartoons in relation to our Freedom of Speech and Expression principles.
  • Show the listeners to your public speaking speech some flags of unknown countries, ask them what nation you mean and explain colors and symbols.
  • The extraterrestrial life stories and future theories from French author Jules Verne.
  • Etiquette and manners, how to cope with special situations, how to behave at official ceremonies you see enough public speaking speeches spicing humor.
  • Fashion styles and dress codes at parties and ceremonies.

See this page for a full list of Fun Informative Speech Topics .

5 Geography Informative Speech Topics

Geography Informative Speech Topics

  • The antipodes – Places on Earth which are diametrically opposite to each other.
  • Cartography – How terrestrial globe spheres are crafted.
  • Climatology – Patterns in climate change, like rising temperatures and flooding.
  • Coasts – Types of coasts, deltas, sea cliffs and beaches.
  • What does the continental drift theory mean in vulcanology?

See this page for a full list of Speech Topics On Geography .

9 Government Informative Speech Topics

Government Informative Speech Topics

  • The role of accounting in the control of public expenditures in Nigeria.
  • What factors affect community participation in public meetings?
  • How difficult is it to run a country of 1.2 billion people?
  • Speeding cameras are meant to provide government money.
  • Should the President be paid while being in office?
  • The Federal government’s separation of powers.
  • Journalism is our weapon against corruption.
  • How a bill passes in state government.
  • The best city planning practices.

10 Health Informative Speech Topics

Doctor in Medical Record's room.

  • Steroids, antibiotics, sprays: are these things hurting us?
  • The effects of dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder.
  • Bigger isn’t always better: the effect fast food has on America.
  • The importance of proper stretching before a workout.
  • How to keep your skin looking young and wrinkle free.
  • The different types of insomnia.
  • The causes and effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The psychosocial aspects of organ transplantation.
  • Controversial ideas about whooping cough vaccines.
  • The reasons why stress and depression should be taken seriously.

See this page for a full list of Informative Speech Topics on Health and Fitness . We also have a page with Medical Topics and Psychology topics.

10 History Informative Speech Topics

past, present, future, time concept on blackboard

  • The beauty of ancient Egyptian art.
  • The most beautiful paintings in history.
  • The history of fashion.
  • The history of high heels.
  • The history of cosmetic makeup.
  • The history of Tibetan burial practices.
  • What Olympic events did ancient Greece have?
  • The history of swear words and their impact on society.
  • Words and their meanings that have changed with time.
  • Why dragons perform in Chinese New Year celebrations.

See this page for a full list of History Speech Topics .

16 International Relations Informative Speech Topics

International Relations Informative Speech Topics

  • Economic development and the role of the private sector in reducing poverty in Lesotho.
  • Tourism and remittances are the solutions for Tonga’s economic growth.
  • The military of the Philippines.
  • Is South Africa ready for a female president?
  • Can democracy bring stability to Pakistan?
  • South Africa is an amazing country.
  • The impact of U.S drone strikes.
  • The discovery of oil in Equatorial Guinea.
  • How to help refugees.
  • Why everyone should live in China.
  • The status of trade relations in East Africa.
  • The effects of the Dowry system in India.
  • Sri Lanka after thirty years of war.
  • Why Africa is underdeveloped.
  • The political system of India.
  • The purpose of the United Nations.

2 Language Informative Speech Topics

language concept

  • English is a link language for many parts of the world.
  • The origins of cliches.

6 Literature Informative Speech Topics

Literature Informative Speech Topics

  • Inside the mind of Edgar Allen Poe.
  • How to write a book.
  • The three trials of Oscar Wilde.
  • The meaning of The House on Mango Street.
  • The history of vampires in literature.
  • The different types of poetry.

21 Media Informative Speech Topics

Social networks background

  • What steps are involved in creating a movie or television show?
  • How Spotify hurts new artists.
  • The benefits of watching less TV.
  • How the media has hurt our body image.
  • Books that were turned into terrible movies.
  • The benefits of reading a newspaper.
  • The basics of photography.
  • The history of the Titanic movie.
  • Some famous advertising campaigns.
  • The effects of misleading advertisements.
  • Some important women in the media.
  • The best foreign TV shows.
  • The benefits of satellite radio.
  • The best TV sitcoms.
  • Al Jazeera, the largest Arabic news channel is the Middle East.
  • How Disney produces and distributes short animated films.
  • The amazing stage performance of Christina Aguilera.
  • The love life of Jennifer Aniston,
  • The story of CNN International reporter, Christiane Amanpour.
  • The ten actors who played James Bond.
  • Top three worst Woody Allen movies.

9 Music Informative Speech Topics

Music Informative Speech Topics

  • The different types of marching bands.
  • The history of french horns.
  • The history of house music.
  • The evolution of rock and roll.
  • The beauty of reggae music.
  • Music as a “lifestyle”.
  • The best electronic dance music.
  • How to play the kazoo.
  • The beauty of Haitian music.

4 National Security Informative Speech Topics

  • How illegal things are smuggled into the country.
  • The United States military branches.
  • The importance of the Air Force.
  • The branches of the military.

10 Politics Informative Speech Topics

Politics Informative Speech Topics

  • Should the U.S. restrict immigration?
  • The benefits of communism.
  • The most important women in politics.
  • Define the term foreign policy and offer current examples.
  • The delicate position of women and children in war torn societies and countries on the globe.
  • How issues on oil in Nigeria lift the oil prices worldwide.
  • How a free trade agreement works.
  • The major environmental problems in Australia.
  • National gun control statistics compared to the statistics of other countries.
  • The function of the Federal Reserve Board in maintaining a stable financial system.

See this page for a full list of Speech Topics about Politics .

10 Psychology Informative Speech Topics

Psychology Therapy

  • The benefits of greeting people.
  • Positive thinking is the key to peaceful living.
  • The meaning of dreams.
  • How to explain child geniuses.
  • Difference between empathy and sympathy.
  • How to be more sensitive for an emotionally insensitive person.
  • How to know a person’s true personality when we are so good at disguise nowadays.
  • Secrets about quiet people.
  • How to respond or take a compliment.
  • Why do people lie and how to deal with that.

See this page for a full list of Psychology Speech Topics .

12 Relationships Informative Speech Topics

Relationships Informative Speech Topics

  • How marriages today differ from marriages from the 60’s.
  • The secrets of happy and successful relationships.
  • How to choose the right relationship.
  • How to get along with your roommate.
  • The guidelines for military marriages.
  • How to make long distance relationships work.
  • The average age to get married.
  • How to talk to people when you have nothing to say.
  • How to recognize toxic friends.
  • Your Brain Falls in Love Not Only Your Heart.
  • Who Was and Is Cupid and Co.
  • All You Wanted to Know About Engagement.

10 Religion Informative Speech Topics

Religion Informative Speech Topics

  • A comparison of Genesis and Revelation in the Bible.
  • Modern values are violating religious values.
  • How Christ is present in our world.
  • What percentage of the world’s population are Christians?
  • Why worshipping Satan isn’t a bad thing.
  • Why the bunny symbolizes Easter.
  • God helps those who help themselves.
  • A comparison of different religions.
  • The history of the Christian church.
  • The main principles of Christianity.

See this page for a full list of Speech Topics on Religion and Spirituality .

10 Science Informative Speech Topics

Two children making science experiments

  • The difference between an alligator and a crocodile.
  • Why whales should not be hunted for food.
  • Transhumanism and the evolution of the human race.
  • How we can create geniuses.
  • Falabella horses are the smallest in the world.
  • Why is the colonization of Mars important?
  • Albert Einstein’s contributions to science.
  • The isolation of nicotinic acid from tobacco.
  • The journey to becoming a nuclear physicist.
  • Some interesting facts about the human brain.

See this page for a full list of Informative Science Speech Topics .

31 Self-Help Informative Speech Topics

Self-Help Informative Speech Topics

  • The difference between boundaries and limits.
  • The benefits of affirmation.
  • Three goals to strive for in life.
  • How to present yourself with confidence.
  • Why it’s important to be yourself.
  • How to manage your anger.
  • How to make a good first impression.
  • How to prepare for a job interview.
  • Your actions determine your future.
  • How to set goals and achieve them.
  • How to enhance your public speaking skills.
  • How to increase your motivation.
  • What makes life meaningful?
  • How to take your next big step in life.
  • How to construct an argument.
  • How to boost your self-esteem.
  • How to be happy being single.
  • How to avoid procrastination.
  • How to improve your manners.
  • How to be a good leader.
  • The importance of a good attitude.
  • How to be more romantic.
  • How to break bad habits.
  • How to overcome conflict.
  • Happiness: The thing we all look for but never really understand.
  • What it’s like to be falling in love.
  • What is love and what’s not.
  • The secret to resolving conflicts.
  • Dancing is your secret weapon for happiness and health.
  • Things to remember if you don’t want to die with any regrets.

10 School Informative Speech Topics

sutent learning at school

  • Schools should not make money by selling unhealthy candy and soft drinks to students.
  • Music with foul language in it should not be allowed at school dances.
  • Students should be able to listen to their MP3 players during class.
  • Students who commit cyberbullying should be suspended or expelled from school.
  • Boys and girls should be taught in separate classrooms.
  • Homeschooling produces better results than public schools.
  • High School will be the best time of your life.
  • Boys are lazier than girls.
  • All students should wear school uniform.
  • It is possible to Ace your way through High School.

See this page for a full list of School Speech Topics for All Grades .

10 Society Informative Speech Topics

Society portraits

  • Why it is bad to judge people by their appearance.
  • The lives of isolated indigenous people.
  • How to tell someone they are annoying you without being rude.
  • How human behavior affects society.
  • Left handed people: the underrepresented minority group.
  • Is the military a fulfilling career choice for women?
  • The effects of discrimination.
  • The importance of newspapers in our daily life.
  • Do actors and athletes make too much money?
  • Why I’m optimistic about our nation’s future.

See this page for a full list of Informative Society Speech Topics .

10 Sport Informative Speech Topics

Sports equipment

  • Should female students be allowed to play on male sports teams?
  • How to do a walking handstand or a cartwheel into the splits.
  • Is netball or hockey more dangerous?
  • The benefits of sports for all ages.
  • Why the spelling bee shouldn’t be on ESPN.
  • The worst professional sports teams.
  • The importance of sports and games.
  • What you should have in your golf bag.
  • The history of professional fighting.
  • The worst trades in sports history.

See this page for a full list of Informative Sports Speech Topics .

3 Supernatural Informative Speech Topics

Young man in casual throwing fire ball

  • The mystery of the Bermuda triangle.
  • The evidence that bigfoot exists.
  • The existence of telepathy.

41 Technology Informative Speech Topics

Technology Informative Speech Topics

  • How roads are built.
  • Is wind energy cheap, effective, and practical?
  • Why college students should be careful about what they put on social media.
  • The uses for artificial intelligence computer networks.
  • The danger of putting too much personal information on social networks.
  • Modes of communication are constantly changing.
  • How has social media impacted our daily lives?
  • The line between the human brain and a computer.
  • Why technology is a bad thing for growing minds.
  • How technology has destroyed human interaction.
  • How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of social media.
  • The effects of violent video games on children.
  • The decline of interpersonal communication due to technology.
  • The difference between hardware and software.
  • Antivirus software: beware of malware functions.
  • The history of programming languages.
  • How voice over IP works.
  • What would we do without electricity?
  • The benefits of 3D printing.
  • The major technological changes since 1990.
  • The negative effects of cellphones.
  • How to avoid computer viruses.
  • The evolution of the internet.
  • Computers through the decades.
  • How airport biometrics systems work.
  • Robots now and in the future.
  • How satellites help communication.
  • How a water plant operates.
  • How watches work.
  • The evolution of video games.
  • How cellular phones work.
  • The evolution of the iPhone.
  • How to build a computer.
  • How nuclear power works.
  • How search engines work.
  • How air pressure works.
  • The best new technologies.
  • The future of electric cars.
  • How to practice cyber safety.
  • A guide to different social media sites.

15 Travel Informative Speech Topics

Travel Informative Speech Topics

  • How students can find great vacation bargains.
  • The best cruise vacations.
  • Famous parliament buildings
  • How to test the quality of water when traveling.
  • Interesting underground railroad systems in capital cities.
  • Investigation shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea.
  • The benefits of wind tunnels on transport.
  • The discovery of the famous temples in the Maya culture.
  • The influence of global warming on Alpine skiing.
  • The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • The Wright Brother’s first flight.
  • Totem poles and obelisks are symbols of unity, tradition, and pride.
  • What you need to know about the Principality of Andorra.
  • Why is there a Titanic replica?
  • Why the unsinkable and invincible Titanic sank.

9 Workplace Informative Speech Topics

I Love to Work Pin Button Enjoy Job Career

  • The benefits of break time for nursing mothers in the workplace.
  • The prevalence of dangerous chemicals in the workplace.
  • How to survive working in a restaurant.
  • Why underwater welding is dangerous.
  • How it is to work in the fast food industry.
  • How to get a great internship.
  • How to become a comedian.
  • The most dangerous jobs.
  • What are the fastest growing careers?

List of Informative Essay Topics

14 college informative essay topics.

young student girl with books in library

  • Benefits of a college degree
  • Crimes on college campuses
  • Healthiest foods in the campus cafeteria
  • How students can stay safe on a college campus
  • How students can use eLibrary Curriculum Edition for research
  • How to beat senioritis
  • How to find cheap textbooks
  • How to pick a major
  • How to study for and pass a test
  • Saving money as a college student
  • The story of how your school was founded
  • Ways of preventing college dropout
  • Whether binge drinking is a problem on your college campus
  • Your favorite club or organization on campus

5 Demonstration Informative Essay Topics

How to keep dialogue going

  • How to bake a cake
  • How to knit a scarf
  • How to organize a closet
  • How to swing a golf club
  • How to train your dog

7 Easy / Simple Informative Essay Topics

easy and simple

  • A genre of music
  • America’s fastest growing cities
  • Breeds of dogs
  • How a computer works
  • Interesting cultures
  • Lesser known presidents
  • Natural disasters

9 Education Informative Essay Topics

Education Informative Essay Topics

  • How to choose a persuasive speech topic
  • How to deliver a funny informative speech
  • How to deliver a persuasive speech
  • How to maintain audience attention during a speech
  • How to win your audience with descriptive speech
  • How to write a persuasive essay
  • How to write an argumentative essay
  • How to write an expository essay
  • The difference between a thesis statement and a topic sentence

10 Fun Informative Essay Topics

happy friends in summertime

  • An impressive world record
  • Fun games to play at the beach.
  • The history of ice cream
  • The revolution of the selfie
  • Ways different cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day
  • What do people do when they win the lottery?
  • What people don’t know about Disneyland
  • What you can learn from grade K students
  • What your horoscope means
  • Why people get tattoos

6 Funny Informative Essay Topics

funny kitten portrait with smile on card

  • Everything you need to know about skinny jeans
  • Funny St. Patrick’s Day parades
  • How to be nice to people you don’t like
  • How to cheat in poker
  • How to look attentive when you’re actually not
  • Things you can learn from your pet

See this page for a full list of Funny Informative Speech Topics .

10 Health Informative Essay Topics

Closeup of doctor writing on chart

  • All about gluten
  • Cause-and-effect relationship of air pollution
  • Causes of cancer
  • How caffeine works
  • How stress affects your body
  • How to make exercise a habit
  • How to quit smoking
  • Symptoms of Alzheimer Disease
  • Symptoms of depression
  • How to get rid of bad habits

6 Hobbies Informative Essay Topics

Hand made scrapbooking post card and tools lying on a table

  • Best places for scuba diving
  • Choosing your next book to read
  • Peace lily care tips
  • Professional baseball stadiums
  • The history of your favorite sport
  • Types of tropical fish

9 Interesting Informative Essay Topics

Two people peeking from hole in wall

  • Effects of global warming
  • Exotic pets
  • How to perform an attention-getting first dance at your wedding
  • Near-death experiences
  • Places to see in northern Nevada
  • The biography of Clyde Tombaugh
  • The history of a cliche marriage ritual
  • What is your dog actually thinking?
  • What your handwriting says about you

See this page for a full list of Informative Interesting Speech Topics .

7 Life Informative Essay Topics

Young Woman Enjoying a Hot Beverage

  • How to drive a stick-shift
  • How to pay off your student loans in under 10 years
  • How to succeed in multi-level marketing
  • The process of buying a car
  • Tips for being an effective networker
  • Traveling the world for cheap
  • Why people lie

7 Legislation Informative Essay Topics

Legislation Informative Speech Topics

  • Fees and taxes for an electric car
  • Minimum wage laws
  • The history of drinking age rules
  • What dogs are affected by breed specific legislation?
  • Anti-trust crimes.
  • Benefits of pleading guilty.
  • Felony penalties for aggravated stalking.

See this page for a full list of Legal Speech Topics .

10 Pop Culture Informative Essay Topics

Scene from a rock concert

  • A biography of your favorite celebrity
  • All about your favorite author
  • All about your favorite television show
  • Former childhood stars
  • History of your favorite product brand
  • Instances where the movie is better than the book
  • The Miss America pageant
  • The pop art movement during the 20th century and the changes it brought about
  • What makes a pop sensation
  • Your favorite form of public broadcasting

7 Relationships Informative Essay Topics

Couple of hands against the sea view

How to be a good friend

  • How to choose your friends
  • How to get along with your in-laws
  • How to make a marriage work
  • How to survive a blind date gone wrong
  • The different types of friendships
  • The history of online dating

Picking Your Topic

At first glance, an informative speech may seem like the simplest type of presentation . The basis of an informative speech is to introduce a topic to the audience and then describe or explain it . It sounds fairly straightforward, but special care must be given to selecting a topic or the entire speech may not be well received.

Informative speeches can easily become boring for an audience for several reasons. First, the speaker should be sure not to present a topic which is already well known, or the audience will quickly lose interest. The topic should be something the audience has never encountered, or at least include new and exciting information on a familiar topic. Speakers should remember, when preparing the speech, that their own level of interest will become apparent during delivery of the presentation. In other words, if the speaker is bored by the topic, the audience will feel bored as well.

Knowing the audience is a primary factor in choosing an informative speech topic. The speaker should consider the age, knowledge level, subculture, and other demographics of his listeners when preparing the speech. It is important to present information which is neither too elementary nor too difficult for the audience to comprehend. The chosen topic should reflect the interests of the audience, and should be intriguing to them without rehashing information they already know. For example, college students may be interested in a topic on alcohol use, but they are already very familiar with a topic like the dangers of drinking and driving. In this case the speaker might concentrate his topic on the health benefits of red wine. This way, he has chosen a topic which interests the audience, but is likely to present new information which will not bore his listeners.

Finally, speakers should consider time limits when choosing an informative speech topic. A topic should be covered thoroughly enough that the audience feels as if most of their questions on the topic have been answered. On the other hand, a tight time restriction may prevent the speaker from adequately covering a very intricate topic. When time is limited, a subject which requires lengthy explanation should be avoided. The audience should leave an informative speech feeling as if they’ve gained new insight on a topic. It is good if they are interested in doing their own research to learn more about the subject, but they should never leave the presentation feeling confused or unclear about what they have just heard.

Informative Speech Idea In 5 Steps

1. step one – make a list.

Make a short list of your personal interests and informative speech topic ideas. To help you determine your interests on an informative speech topic, think about your favorite objects, products, people, animals, events, places, processes, procedures, concepts, policies, theories, and so on. Answer these important questions:

  • Is there something you love to talk about, always have wanted to research?
  • What interests you very much, or do you like or love at first glance?
  • Do you have developed special skills in personal or professional life?
  • What interesting informative topics do you know a lot of or want to know more about?
  • What are some personal or professional experiences and skills in certain situations related to your favorite subjects?
  • Can you reveal hidden secrets, new perspectives or insights on some topics?

2. Step Two – Analyze Your Audience

Determine the interests and needs of your audience. What do they want to learn? Can you teach them on a subject you like?

3. Step Three – Check Your Interests

Review the short list of your interests and make a decision. Choose the informative speech topic that is also interesting to your audience. Take care of their interests, questions and needs.

4. Step Four – Research and Write

Research  just one new single aspect  of that informative speech idea. Look for valuable or amazing information that surprises your listeners. Fresh data, facts, intelligence, and advice will catch their attention immediately! To help you researching: look for new facts, figures, stories, statistics, surveys, personal experiences, professional experiences, quotations, comparisons and contrasts.

5. Step Five – Add Help Props

Demonstrate steps, stages, pros and cons, and remarkable effects by the use of public speaking software or other visual aids , that display the material you want them to be understood or remembered.

Informative Speeches FAQ

1. Speeches About Objects 2. Speeches About Processes 3. Speeches About Events 4. Speeches About Concepts

An informative speech is one that provides information and educates the audience on a specific topic. An informative speech should help your audience learn, understand, and remember information you are presenting.

1. Know your audience or reader 2. Consider your interests 3. Consider length requirements

You can see this page with speech examples .

Vote of Thanks Examples

613 Original Argumentative Speech Topics Ideas

15 thoughts on “509 Informative Speech Ideas and Topics”

Demonic Possession

Creativity is the Mother of Invention.

1-How to be a good friend: you have to do everything to make them happy, don’t snatch on them

2-How to choose your friends: Choose friends with similar values Choose friends with common goals

3-How to get along with your in-laws:1-Get to know them. … 2-Know your limits. … 3-Keep things cordial. … 4-Put your relationship first

4-How to make a marriage work

5-How to survive a blind date gone wrong 1-Ask open-ended questions. … 2-Tell a funny anecdote. … 3-Let your date talk. … 4-Answer questions fully. … 5-Listen to them carefully.

6-The different types of friendships

7-The history of online dating

the evolution of humans

school doesn’t need to exist

Nice compilations this is helpful

Hamburgers vs hotdogs

Chocolate Caffeine Grass is Greener on the other side April Fools Why teens should have a part time job or not

History of Tobacco

Effects of anxiety on teenage students.

how depression affects people and others around them

peer pressure and its effects on students

Different ways kids handle peer pressure.

depression and how it can effect a students mindset

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Maine Speech Handbook

Debate and Speech

rev January 2017 Download a PDF of the Maine Speech Handbook (Jan 2017).

The Maine Forensic Association Speech Handbook addresses guidelines for MFA-sponsored events only. While most events follow National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA, formerly NFL) or National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) guidelines, there are some details unique to the Maine District. For full rules and regulations regarding the MFA, see the MFA By-laws. Questions about specific NSDA and NCFL events should be directed to the District Chair of those respective leagues and the published information on speechanddebate.org and NCFL.org.

This document provides guidelines for coaches, competitors, and judges. Rules are annotated as (rule) and correspond directly to the by-laws. All other criteria should be considered accepted practice based on NSDA rules and guidelines, NCFL rules and guidelines, and national and district trends. Competitors and coaches should note that judges are granted discretion as they see fit.

A best practice for competition should answer “yes” to all these questions:

  • Is the presentation ethical (i.e. original in arrangement and performance)?
  • Is the competitor embodying the MFA Code of Ethics?
  • Does the strategy enhance the piece rather than detract?

Material selection

Source selection and cutting is the prerogative of the student as long as it is within NSDA published guidelines.  Appropriateness for high school audiences should be considered and judgment in regard to literary merit should be encouraged. It is the affirmative obligation of all coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation and reading events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league with an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name.  Pieces not meeting selection criteria will be ranked last in round and will not break to finals.  In ranking or evaluating selections presented, judges should set aside personal preferences and evaluate the piece as it meets the criteria of the category.  Judges may comment about the use of objectionable material for the students’ edification. (9/2016)

Selections from Previous Years

Speakers may not use a selection they presented from a previous year.

Double-entry Sourcing

If a student is double-entered:

  • Speakers may not use the same source for more than one event within a single tournament.
  • For original events within a single tournament, a competitor’s subjects must be unique, including minimal reuse of citations.

Interp and Reading Event Materials

Adaptations to materials used in the interp (HI, DI, Duo) and reading (OIL, ODec, POI) events may be used for the purpose of transition only. The gender stated by the author must be honored, but a female contestant may play a male role, and a male contestant may play a female role.

Selections must be “published-printed [i.e. have an ISBN or Library of Congress number] novels, short stories, plays, poems, or other printed-published materials” (speechanddebate.org). Adaptations such as insertion of connecting phrases, names, etc. shall be for the purpose of continuity only.

In alignment with the NSDA, (09/2016)

  • PDF publications must be published, unaltered & commercially or professionally available.
  • In alignment with the NSDA, PDF publications from TED Talks are allowed for those presentations that have official transcripts posted on the TED website. Any lectures that do not have an official TED transcript are disallowed.
  • Transcripts of videos or podcasts are not allowed unless transcripts are published by the producing organization.

See https://www.speechanddebate.org/rules-forms-manuals/ for more information.

Ideally the script is held in a small black 5 in. x 8 in. binder available at an office supply store (often by special order), and opened like a book from left to right. While this style binder is not required, it is accepted as the most unobtrusive tool for presentation.

Binders may never be used as a prop or noisemaker in any event with the exception of Program Oral Interpretation (POI)

The following category may never use a script (rule) else last place:

  • Storytelling

Categories that require scripts all season include (rule):

  • Novice Poetry Reading
  • Novice Prose Reading

Oral Interpretation of Literature

  • Program Oral Interpretation
  • Categories that allow optional script use all season include (rule):
  • Original Works

Categories that allow optional script use after November include:

  • Oratorical Declamation (also optional lectern)

Categories may not use a script (or note card as in Extemporaneous Speaking) after November else earn penalty of final ranking in the round (rule):

  • Dramatic Interpretation
  • Duo Interpretation
  • Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Humorous Interpretation

Informative Speaking

  • Original Oratory

Introductions

Nearly all events require an introduction that includes the name of the selection and the author. The purpose of the introduction is to not just provide necessary background material, but engage the listener. These events include:

  • Oratorical Declamation
  • Program of Oral Interpretation

It is not uncommon for introductions during interpretation and reading events to be inserted after a 30-second to one-minute teaser. When using a teaser, presenters should clearly delineate between the piece and the introduction through appropriate pauses, pops, or other transitions.

By their nature as original events, the following events should build an introduction into the natural flow of the speech:

Timing and Grace

Each event must fall between a minimum and maximum length of time. All events must be five to ten minutes in length with the exception of:

  • Extemporaneous Speaking 3 minute minimum and 7 minute maximum

Every event grants a 30 second grace period on either end of the time requirements. If a speech falls outside the grace period, it may not be ranked first. Judges should not stop a speaker until a competitor has spoken a full 45 seconds beyond the maximum (i.e. at 10 minutes 45 seconds for a 10 minute event).

A judge may only provide time signals in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Presentation Skills

All events call for basic presentation skills in:

  • Body language
  • Vocal control
  • Volume (loud/soft)
  • Rate (fast/slow)
  • Diction (word choice in introductions and original pieces)
  • Enunciation (clarity of words)
  • Pronunciation (accurate emphasis and sound of words)
  • Rhythm (general flow)
  • Originality within the constraints of each event

Competitors are strongly encouraged to participate with positive decorum, which starts before a competitor arrives at the competition room. Competitors may not be in a room unless a judge is present. When in the hallways, all tournament participants should maintain a respectful volume as competition may be occurring in nearby rooms.

It is at the judge’s discretion to penalize competitors for violation of suggested decorum, but strongly encouraged that the judge justify any such decisions in writing on the ballot and report the behavior to Tabulation.

Fair and Ethical Practices

In summary of the MFA Code of Ethics, all tournament participants are expected to be respectful, honest, compassionate, responsible, fair, and courageous. In addition, participants should follow event and tournament rules and guidelines.

Social and Sportsmanlike Etiquette

Beyond the MFA Code of Ethics, there are specific expectations that apply to all individuals at a competition. During rounds and in between presentations:

  • All communication devices should be silent and stowed.
  • Competitors should not engage in conversation beyond what is necessary to run a successful round.
  • Participants and audience members are expected to remain in the room for the duration of the round.
  • Double-entered competitors should ask to be excused from their first event to compete in their second event.
  • Double-entered competitors must remain in the room of their second event until the completion of the round.
  • Extemporaneous Speaking students should, upon closing, immediately excuse themselves from the room.

Professional Attire

Students should aim to “dress for success” from the start of competition through the end of the awards ceremony. We strive to emulate the attire at national competitions, which is suits, usually black. At minimum, students should follow school dress codes and look as they would for a professional job interview.

Props, Costumes, and Furniture

No costumes or props are allowed, except in Storytelling (propping and costumes encouraged) and Program of Oral Interpretation (binder may be used as a prop). No chairs or stools are allowed, except in Storytelling. No lecterns, podiums, or music stands are allowed, except in Oratorical Declamation (optional use of a podium or lectern after November).

“Propping” is classified as using any physical object including those on the body to enhance a piece. For example, if a character is shown inserting a hand into a pocket, the speaker should not use his/her own pocket, but rather should mime the gesture outside any existing pocket. Ambiguous violations are evaluated on the judge’s discretion and should be clearly noted on the ballot.

“Costuming” is signified by any piece of clothing outside of traditional decorum that clearly relates to or enhances a piece. Ambiguous violations are evaluated on the judge’s discretion and should be clearly noted on the ballot.

Ballots and Comments

At the end of the round, the judge should complete and submit a master ballot, which requests only the title and ranks. Submitting the master ballot as soon as possible after the end of the round allows tabulation to proceed faster than if the judge waits to finish comments. Before submitting the master ballot, be sure to copy the ranks to the comment ballots. If ranks do not correspond between the master and comment ballots, Tabulation staff will ask you to reconcile.

Upon submitting the master ballot, judges should record as many comments as reasonably allowed on the comment ballots provided. Other sections of the ballots should be completed in full, including competitor code, judge code, reason for rank, and rank.

At no time should a judge provide verbal comments to a competitor while the tournament is in session. If a competitor asks, it is acceptable to provide the length of the presentation.

Other Rules and Guidelines

Definition of novice.

Novice is defined as a first time competitor in any form of forensic competition. Competitors previously from other events (debate or Congress) are not considered Novice. (rule)

Oratorical Declamation is not technically considered a novice event, but is limited to freshmen and sophomore level students.

Singing is limited to 30 cumulative seconds (rule). Humming or whistling are considered sound effects and are not subject to this time limit.

Dramatic Interpretation (DI)

Dramatic Interpretation primarily follows NSDA guidelines. It is a category for an individual speaker using a piece dramatic in nature. Dramatic Interpretation presentations should create strong, believable characters and a mood conducive to the subject matter. Mood is often enhanced through dramatic pauses and intense emotions. The category allows for movement and dramatization to build vivid scenes, as well as the assumption of more than one persona to establish interaction, relationships, and a complete story.

Time : 5-10 minutes.

Memorization : Memorized after November. Optional script otherwise.

Duo Interpretation (Duo)

Duo Interpretation follows both NSDA and NCFL guidelines; conflicts in regulations should be reconciled at judge’s discretion. It is a category for two speakers using a piece dramatic, humorous, or both in nature.

Duo Interpretation presentations should create strong, believable characters and a mood conducive to the subject matter. The category allows for movement and dramatization—sometimes by popping or snapping quickly and simply between characters—to build vivid scenes. Each speaker may assume more than one persona, or speakers may share personas (like the narrator), to establish unique characters, clear interaction, distinct relationships, and a complete story. Speaking roles should be balanced.

Since Duo is not an acting category, partners are challenged to interact and react to one another without looking at or touching each other except during the introduction (rule, speechanddebate.org). At minimum, presenters are expected to stand nearly shoulder-to-shoulder, but use of space and blocking is flexible and encouraged so long as the presenters follow these two rules and maintain a coherent presentation. Broad use of space often detracts from the piece.

Tabulation officials recommend that Duo team members who are double-entered coordinate which event to compete in first based on their posted order. Postings are presented in two columns: teams listed in the left column should attend Duo first; teams listed in the right column should attend Duo after their other event. Single-entered Duo competitors should report directly to their Duo competition room.

Extemporaneous Speaking (XT)

Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp) is both an NCFL and NSDA event. Prompts are divided into United States/Domestic and International/Foreign subjects, which a competitor selects at the start of the tournament. Extemp is a limited-preparation event based around current events. At the start of the round, each competitor is assigned a speaking time. Thirty minutes prior to that time, the competitor selects a prompt or question in the Extemp Prep Room (moderated by a tournament official) and spends the half hour synthesizing a response from published sources (online articles, books, magazines, newspapers, etc.). The response can agree, disagree, or qualify the prompt, but it must follow the accepted structure. Judging evaluates both the synthesis and presentation equally.

Preparation Room Regulations

Prior to tournaments, competitors collect sources in tubs. Tubs may be physical (file boxes with folders, printed articles, newspapers, magazines, and books) or digital (laptop, netbook, tablet, etc. with sources saved to the local storage) and organized at the discretion of the competitor. Sources must be complete articles and complete pages with no notations, “stickies,” or comments; highlighting may be only in one color per document. A topical index document is acceptable so long as there are no notations. Use of a generated digital index (e.g. Spotlight, Windows search, Google Desktop) to search keywords in filenames or content is not acceptable.  No other manipulations are allowed. Access to outside information the internet, cell phones, and smart phones is prohibited.

During preparation, competitors may not consult with one another. Students, especially from the same school, may share evidence, but not discuss topics or arguments during the round.

Competitors using digital archiving devices should note that tournament hosts cannot guarantee access to power during the tournament and should plan accordingly.

Each competitor may write on the front and back of a 3×5 note card whatever deemed necessary to prepare. That note card may be used as a script within the competition room prior to December. Pre-written arguments or speeches are not allowed. It is good practice to include no more than 50 words per note card to avoid it looking and sounding like a script.

Competition Room Regulations

Judges for Extemporaneous Speaking must be in the competition room at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the round. Competitors will enter the room, present, and excuse themselves from the room one at a time and in specific order at seven minute intervals. The prep room official ensures that competitors do not enter the competition room or speak out of turn. Because Extemp is a strictly-timed event, significantly delaying the start of the next competitor’s speech may affect the fairness of the competition. In other words, judges should be prepared to receive competitors immediately.

Upon entering the room, the competitor should share the prompt with the judge and wait for the judge’s signal to begin. When a competitor completes the presentation, he/she leaves the room prior to the entrance of the next competitor.

Time Signals

The judge should offer to provide time signals.

Time signals are often given showing fingers for the number of minutes remaining, a ‘C’ for 30 seconds remaining, and a fist when the countdown reaches zero. When a judge shows a fist, the competitor understands that only the 30 second grace period remains.

Presentations should ideally include at least two sources per point or a minimum of six sources overall. Sources should be authoritative, timely, and relevant. Citations should include title and date of publication, and accreditation of primary information (i.e. author, researcher, theorist, thought leader).

Organization

While there is no hard-and-fast rule for organization, common structure is 1-3-1 (introduction, three points, and a conclusion). Variations may be used, but there must be an introduction and conclusion. Physical sign-posting may need to be adapted accordingly.

Introductions must include the exact iteration of the prompt or question, a clear thesis statement, and an outline of points that will be addressed. Beyond that, introductions should be engaging and thoughtful.

The overall speech should remain on topic as clear, cohesive, and coherent, and use verbal sign-posting to signify the flow of information. For a complete argument, the speaker should include adequate reasoning and evidence to support all claims.

Sign-posting

Sign-posting can be displayed both verbally and physically. While not required, it is often encouraged as an aid to speech structure and organization, meant to guide the audience through the speakers introduction, arguments and conclusion.

Verbal sign-posting is used to make the organization of the presentation absolutely clear. It is common to hear the actual words “My first point…”, “My second point…”, “My third point…”, and “conclusion.” The more creative (while still clear) the integration, the better.

While verbally sign-posting, a speaker may also physically move and/or gesture to signify structure. There are individual variations but the general form starts with the speaker standing central to the audience while introducing the speech. While transitioning to the first point, he/she takes a few casual steps to the right, where he/she remains until transitioning to the second point, which occurs back in the center. The third point then takes place to the left, and the conclusion back to center. Variations are common and should not be penalized unless deemed unsuccessful.

Time : 3-7 minutes.

Memorization : Memorized after November. Optional 3×5 note card, handwritten otherwise.

Humorous Interpretation (HI)

Humorous Interpretation primarily follows NSDA guidelines. It is a category for an individual speaker using a piece humorous in nature.

Humorous Interpretation presentations are not stand-up comedy, but rather stories that create vivid characters and a funny mood conducive to the subject matter. The category allows for movement and exaggeration—often by popping or snapping quickly and simply between characters—to build complete scenes, as well as the assumption of more than one persona to establish interaction, relationships, and a full story.

Informative Speaking primarily follows the NSDA guidelines.

Informative Speaking is a presentation written and performed by the student. Informative requires students to balance that content with delivery and style. Students in Informative must be articulate, engaging, and smooth with their delivery at both a vocal and physical level. The purpose of the event is to inform and educate the audience on a topic of significance. Students are encouraged but not required to employ the use of visual aids in the performance.

While Informatives are all different, the structure should provide a framework for the audience to understand the topic. Each main point should explore a specific aspect of the topic the student is presenting. Research is a very important component in Informative. All claims should be backed up with evidence that verifies the information the speaker is conveying. If a student has presented two or three components of the topic in an educational and logically sound manner, it is likely they have displayed an adept command of structure.

There are three key areas to consider when evaluating an Informative: relevance, relatability, and originality.

To assess the relevance of the speaker’s Informative, focus on the timeliness of their topic. Gauge whether the student has done an adequate job of explaining why this topic should be discussed at this point in time. This can happen in a multitude of ways. Pay attention to how the topic is framed within the speaker’s introduction. If the thesis of the Informative speech enables you to understand why this topic should be examined now, then they have accomplished a significant goal.

Relatability

Relatability is how the speaker connects the audience to the topic. The speaker should use inclusive rhetoric, giving the audience the sensation that they are affected by the topic. Logical evidence supporting this sentiment should be given throughout the speech. Judges should consider whether they are personally educated and examine whether they feel the student educated the audience.

Originality

When evaluating originality, it is important to note that there are few truly original topics. Instead, consider how inventively the speaker addresses the topic. Judges ought to consider whether the rhetoric is unique, as well as how new and exciting the approach is to the topic.

Visual Aids

Students may or may not use audio/visual aids within their Informative speech. If used, the student is expected to set up visual aids in an expedient manner. Students cannot use electronic equipment (anything requiring a power cord, battery or solar power to operate) or any banned material (guns, controlled substances, etc.) as a visual aid, nor can they use live animals or another person. Items of dress put on and/or removed for illustration during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not be part of the contestant’s presentation. Visual aids should contribute to the audience’s understanding, emphasize information, and provide a creative outlet that augments the content of the Informative speech. If a student has included a visual aid that is justified and interesting, than they likely have effectively incorporated a visual aid into their speech.

Time : 5-10 minutes

Memorization : Must be memorized after November.

Oral Interpretation of Literature description is taken from NCFL guidelines.

Oral Interpretation of Literature is an event of alternating rounds of Prose Reading and Poetry Reading. Tabulation flips a coin at the beginning of the day to determine how rounds alternate. As a result, the speaker prepares two programs  substantially different in content, author, and/or original source. One program shall be published prose; the other, published poetry. Each program shall consist of a single piece, a cutting, or a collection of short pieces united by author or theme.

If using a collection of pieces, all titles and authors must be cited. If questioned, the genre of the selection must be specified in the original manuscript or must be verifiable by a simple Internet search. The literature chosen may include any form of prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction. Drama, including theatrical monologues, is prohibited. Lines attributed to one character in the published source must not be attributed to another character in the performance. The author’s words as published in the literature must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. Movement and gestures, if used, should be appropriate to the selection. They should emphasize vocal variety and facial expression to enhance the literary interpretation. Each program must contain an introduction for purposes of explication, setting, or selection transitions.

Even if the piece is memorized, the competitor should occasionally reference the script as if reading.

Memorization : Always scripted.

Oratorical Declamation (ODec)

Oratorical Declamation is derived from NCFL guidelines. Entrants may be of freshmen or sophomore standing only. Selections must be a cut or fully intact, publicly delivered oration; the selections often come from historical orators or events. Speakers must present the speech without mimicking the original delivery, but rather interpreting the selection with their own vocal nuances and style that complement and enhance the purpose and message. The selection allows for dramatic vocal interpretation, gestures, and movement.

A lectern or podium will be provided for all speakers, but is optional after November. The introduction must additionally include the time and place at which the speech was originally delivered, and name the original speaker.

Memorization : Scripted with lectern until after November, then both optional.

Original Oratory (OO)

Original Oratory is based on both NSDA and NCFL regulations. Competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Pieces are informative or persuasive in style and written fully by the competitor prior to competition on any appropriate subject. The piece should discuss subject matter intelligently, originally, and interestingly. Topics may alert the audience to a threatening danger or strengthen devotion to an accepted cause. More successful speeches tend to have a call to action that is tangible and actionable on the part of the individual audience member. Judges should evaluate both prose and presentation equally.

Presentations must be truthful and should ideally include at least two sources per point or a minimum of six sources overall. Sources should be authoritative and relevant. Citations should include title and date of publication, and accreditation of primary information (i.e. author, researcher, theorist, thought leader). Any non-factual references should be clearly identified.

No more than 150 cumulative words of the piece may be quoted. Extensive paraphrasing is prohibited. (rule, speechanddebate.org)

While there is no hard-and-fast rule for organization, common structure is 1-3-1 (introduction, three points, and a conclusion) where point 1 defines a problem, point 2 explains the significance of the problem, and point 3 proposes a solution or call to action. Variations may be used, but there must be an introduction and conclusion. Physical sign-posting may need to be adapted accordingly.

The introductions should have a clear thesis statement and an outline of points that will be addressed. It should be engaging and thoughtful.

Sign-posting can displayed both verbally and physically.

Verbal sign-posting is used to make the organization of the presentation absolutely clear. It is not uncommon to hear the actual words “My first point…”, “My second point…”, “My third point…”, and “conclusion.” The more creative (while still clear) the integration, the better.

While verbally sign-posting, a speaker may also physically move to signify structure. The general form starts with the speaker standing central to the audience while introducing the speech. While transitioning to the first point, he/she takes a few casual steps to the right, where he/she remains until transitioning to the second point, which occurs back in the center. The third point then takes place to the left, and the conclusion back to center. Variations are common and should not be penalized unless deemed unsuccessful.

Memorization : Memorized after November.

Original Works (OW)

Original Works is a unique MFA category. Pieces are written wholly by the competitor prior to the tournament and, with good taste, may fall under any genre, fiction or nonfiction, or style, excluding the Original Oratory format. Consideration should be given to how well the student carried out genre components. Writing should be evaluated for technical style (clarity, coherence, organization, grammar, sentence structure, etc.), literary technique (metaphor, imagery, parody, etc.), and narrative devices. Presentations can vary widely based on the style of piece the student has written but equal weight should be given to the piece and the presentation.

Memorization : Optional script.

Novice Poetry Reading (NPO)

Poetry Reading draws on both NCFL and NSDA guidelines. Poetry presentations may be of a single printed-published composition or creative arrangement of multiple printed-published compositions. The strongest arrangements center on a dynamic theme. Presentations using multiple compositions must preserve the essence of each original poem, but are not limited to presenting each poem one at a time; it is acceptable to intermingle sections of poems for a more creative, thematic, or emotional experience.

The presentation should express ideas, experience, or emotion through sound, rhythm, and meaning by use of voice, gesture, facial expression, and conservative movement. The competitor should demonstrate a clear understanding of the composition and project its meaning, message and tone. Selections may be of all styles and meters.

Novice Prose Reading (NPR)

Prose Reading draws on both NCFL and NSDA guidelines. Pieces must derive from printed-published fiction or nonfiction short stories, essays, or novels. Prose often draws more on narrative than dialogue. In Maine, presentations should share a story, experience, or emotion by use of voice, gesture, facial expression, and conservative movement. Note that the national circuit has increasingly included dialogue and broader movement, drawing less distinction from interpretation events.

Program of Oral Interpretation (POI)

Program Oral Interpretation (POI)  is a NSDA event which is 10-minute performance that can include some combination of Prose, Poetry, and Drama. All students must have at least two out of the three genres included in their performance. All pieces utilized must be mentioned in the introduction. Programs should be manuscript-based literature substantially different in content, author, and/or original source and united by author or theme.

The focus of the event is development of a theme or argument through the use of narrative, story, and/or characterization.

informative speech topics nsda

The program should create a compelling performance centered around a theme or idea.

Blocking should enhance the performance, not distract from the story. Movements should be motivated by either internal or external factors. Internal motivation stems from how the character is feeling, while external motivation comes from a physical reaction to external factors.

Characterization reveals the personality of the character through line delivery, vocal, and facial expression, and varying levels of levity and intensity. Each character should adequately represent the genre of literature from which they are drawn.

Even if the piece is memorized, the competitor should occasionally reference the script as if reading. Script can be used as a prop.

Storytelling (ST)

Storytelling is adapted from NSDA guidelines. Selections are open to wide interpretation, often deriving from oral traditional, fairy tales, folklore, tall tales, mythology, and other historical or tradition-based stories. Presenters must bring a story to life in a natural and entertaining way, but without strict memorization.

Presenters are encouraged to integrate a great deal of dramatization and multiple-characterization through voice, accents, gesture, interpretive movement, props, instruments, and costumes.

Memorization : Never scripted else last place.

Events Calendar

NSDA Last-Chance Qualifier , Virtual April 27, 2024

Spring Coaches Meeting , Virtual May 4, 2024

NCFL Grand National Tournament , Chicago, IL United States May 26, 2024

Useful Links

Maine Principals Association

National Speech & Debate Association

National Catholic Forensic League

Upcoming Events

Maine forensic association.

© 2022 Maine Forensic Association.

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Module 9: Informative Speaking

Organizing the informative speech, learning objectives.

Discern the best organizational approach for types of informative speeches.

Like an essay, a speech should have a clear organizational structure with a recognizable beginning, middle, and end. But unlike an essay where your reader can go back and re-read sections they may not understand or follow, in a speech in front of a live audience your audience can’t stop, rewind, and re-listen to parts of your speech they didn’t follow. For that reason it is especially important to have a clear and easy-to-follow structure to a speech.

In this section, we introduce the characteristic organizational structures of an informative speech. Later on, we’ll explore each of the organizational structural elements in greater detail.

An informative speech can be broken up into three sections:

  • Section 1: Introduction.  The first section of the speech contains an attention-getter to grab the interest of the audience and orient them to the topic of the speech, a clear thesis that states the purpose of the speech, and a preview of the main points of the speech.
  • Section 2: Body. The heart of the speech is the body. The body is where you provide your audience all the information they will need to understand your topic. To make the body of the speech easier for the audience to follow, divide it up into at least two but no more than five main points . Organize the main points in a clear structure appropriate to the topic and thesis and provide supporting examples and/or evidence for each main point.
  • Section 3: Conclusion. The conclusion is a short section that reinforces the thesis, summarizes the main points, and provides a sense of closure.

Video example

To see an example of an informative speech with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, watch this speech where the speaker informs her audience how to manage the stress that comes with being a college student.

You can view the transcript for “Stress Informative Speech (with captions)” here (opens in new window) .

Specific Purpose Statement

Once you have a speech topic selected, develop a specific purpose statement. Your purpose statement describes what you want your audience to know as a result of listening to your speech. Here are some examples of informative speech purpose statements:

  • To inform my audience about different types of coffee makers.
  • To inform my audience about the historical significance of Harriet Tubman.
  • To inform my audience about how to prune roses.

Central Idea

Your purpose statement helps you determine the thesis or central idea of your speech. You will present your central idea in the introduction to the speech and everything you say in the speech will support that central idea.

For example, if your purpose is to inform your audience about different types of coffee makers you could develop a central idea like this:

  • There are two main types of coffee makers, automatic drip machines and manual coffee makers.

Main Points

Once you have a purpose statement you want to develop your main points. The body of the speech is where you will present and provide support for the main points of the speech. Remember that you should generally aim to have at least two but no more than five main points. Keep time constraints in mind when developing your main points. If you are given four minutes to speak, for instance, trying to have four main points might be too ambitious, so you might instead focus on two or at the most three main points.

You’ll want to organize the body of the speech in a way that helps you present your main points in the most effective order. Your purpose statement helps you decide what kind of organizational pattern would make the most sense for your topic.

Organizational Patterns

There are many types of organizational patterns you can use for an informative speech, as you can see in more detail in Module 6: Organizing and Outlining Your Speech. Here are a few examples:

A silverware drawer organizer

In a topical organization structure, each point fits into one of a few topic categories.

Topical : This is a good, all-purpose organizational pattern where you divide your main points into topics. It works well for speeches where the main points are clearly distinct from each other and the order they are placed in isn’t critical like it would be for some other organizational patterns. The example above about coffee makers, for example, could be divided into two topical main points: 1) automatic drip coffee makers and 2) manual coffee makers. Each main point would be supported by subpoints that elaborate on the characteristics of each type of coffee maker.

Compare/contrast: With compare/contrast organizational patterns, you explain the similarities and differences between two or more things. A speech about the similarities and differences between video game consoles PlayStation and Xbox would fit this type of organizational pattern. You could devote one main point to the qualities they share in common and a second point to how they differ from each other.

Map of the mississippi River watershed

A spatially organized speech about the Mississippi River might follow the river from north to south.

Spatial: Do you have a topic that lends itself to being explained in a directional order such as from top to bottom, left to right, or east to west? If so, you could organize your speech in a spatial pattern. This can be a good organizational pattern to use when you want to describe a place to an audience. For instance, if you gave a speech about the major cities the Mississippi River passes through you could start in the north by describing its origin in Minnesota near Minneapolis and St. Paul, then work south and explain how it flows through other cities like St. Louis before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans.

Chronological: This is a speech that follows a time order. This is a good choice for speeches where you want to explain a sequence of events. For example, you could use a chronological pattern for a speech explaining the steps Apple took in developing the iPhone or the significant decisions made by the Supreme Court affecting rights of the LGBTQIA community. Chronological can also be a good organizational choice for speeches where you are explaining a process or demonstrating how to do something.

Step by step description of how to draw an airplane

To describe or demonstrate a process, step by step may be the best structure.

Step-by-Step:  When you’re speaking about a process, the most logical organizational structure may be step by step. Step-by-step organization is useful for “how-to” or demonstration speeches where you are teaching or showing how to do a task. If you were speaking about how to spray-paint a mural, you might describe each layer of the painting step by step.

Biographical : A biographical organization tells the story of a person’s life. The person could be a well-known person or someone who is not. The subject of the speech could even be the speaker themselves. It can be similar to the chronological pattern in that it can be organized by time but it doesn’t have to be. A biographical speech could start by focusing on an important event late in someone’s life and then going back in time to explain how the person got to that point.

Close-up photo of dominoes falling

A causal structure talks about why something happened.

Causal: If you want to explain a cause/effect relationship, you want to use the causal organizational pattern. Typically with this pattern, you would have two main points: one focused on the causes of an event, the second about its effects. A speech about hurricanes might be organized this way, for example. One main point could be devoted to oceanic and atmospheric causes of hurricanes and the second main point about the effects of hurricanes such as storm surge, strong winds, and flooding.

We cover outlining in detail elsewhere, but at this point once you have a purpose statement, general idea, main points, and an organizational pattern, you are ready to develop an outline.

Some important reminders about outlines:

  • Working outlines are what you start with and they help you with speech preparation and planning. This isn’t the outline you will use for speaking.
  • The full-sentence outline develops the full details of the message. But, again, it is not the outline you use to speak.
  • The speaking outline includes key words or phrases and helps you stay organized in front of the audience without reading to them. This is the outline you will speak from so that you are speaking extemporaneously rather than reading your outline word for word.
  • Tip: Using notecards for your speaking outline helps with delivery and makes it easier to find information if you lose your place or draw a blank.
  • Silverware. Authored by : Peter Griffin. Located at : https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1307472/silverware-drawer-utensils-knife-fork-spoon-silverware-free-pictures-free-photos . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
  • Mississippi River Watershed. Authored by : Shannon1. Located at : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mississippiriver-new-01.png . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
  • Airplane. Authored by : Spacefem. Located at : https://openclipart.org/detail/274994/draw-a-single-engine-airplane . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
  • Dominoes. Authored by : Clint Budd. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/MN2WaG . License : CC BY: Attribution
  • Stress Informative Speech (with captions). Authored by : RITPublicSpeaking. Located at : https://youtu.be/f4RLULR6iNg . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
  • Organizing the Informative Speech. Authored by : Mike Randolph with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
  • Organizing the Informative Speech. Authored by : Sandra K. Winn with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution

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IMAGES

  1. 2020 NSDA National Champion

    informative speech topics nsda

  2. NSDA Informative Speech "Move Over Ellen"

    informative speech topics nsda

  3. Informative Speaking/Original Oratory (Competitive) Unit

    informative speech topics nsda

  4. NSDA 2018 Oratory- The Elephant in the Room

    informative speech topics nsda

  5. NSDA National Conference

    informative speech topics nsda

  6. 🏷️ Nsda topics. High School Speech Categories & Topics. 2022-10-27

    informative speech topics nsda

VIDEO

  1. Purpose and Spirituality with the Daily Victorian

  2. informative speech 2

  3. Informative Speech

  4. Informative Speech Part 2 (7-20-2023)

  5. Informative Speech

  6. Information Speech Practice

COMMENTS

  1. PDF INFORMATIVE SPEAKING: Creating a Solid Foundation

    INFORMATIVE SPEAKING: Creating a Solid Foundation This guide offers tips for making effective choices in Informative Speaking. This guide will focus on the foundational aspects of effective Informative Speaking, to demonstrate what elements make an Informative successful.

  2. Informative Speaking

    Download the Informative Speaking - Creating a Solid Foundation handout. Use this resource to help students understand how to create a solid structure for an Informative Speaking speech. (920) 748-6206 [email protected]

  3. Topics

    Lincoln-Douglas Debate - 2024 January/February Topic Resolved: The United States ought to substantially reduce its military presence in the West Asia-North Africa region. A total of 803 coaches and 3,145 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 34% of the coach vote and 39% of the student vote.

  4. How To Judge Informative Speaking

    Informative Speaking is a 10-minute presentation written and performed by the student. Informative requires students to balance that content with delivery and style. Students in Informative must be articulate, engaging, and smooth with their delivery at both a vocal and physical level.

  5. Resources

    Download our Fundraising Guide and Additional Fundraising Strategies for Speech and Debate Teams, co-written by Edco and the National Speech & Debate Association. resources. forms-manuals, team-management. 2019-02-25. Free. 2019 NSDA March Board Meeting Agenda. Download a copy of the 2019 NSDA March Board Meeting Agenda.

  6. Informative Speaking

    Judging Criteria: The ranking is up to each individual judge's discretion. Structure - While Informatives are all different, the structure should provide a framework for the audience to understand the topic. Each main point should explore a specific aspect of the topic the student is presenting.

  7. Competition Events

    Humorous Interpretation (HI) Poetry (POE) Program Oral Interpretation (POI) Prose (PRO) Storytelling (STO) Public Address Events Commentary (EXC) Declamation (DEC) Expository (EXP) Impromptu (IMP) Informative Speaking (INF) International Extemporaneous Speaking (IX) Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking (MX) Original Oratory (OO)

  8. Informative Speaking (INF)

    Informative Speaking (INF) Q&A: What to Expect in Informative Speaking VIDEO: Sample Informative Speech From the National Speech and Debate Association: An informative speech is an original speech designed to explain, define, describe, or illustrate a particular subject.

  9. Topics

    Featured Relief Schedule Current Topics We invite you toward incorporate issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion into your speech and related activities. Explore our Extemp questions, Impromptu questions, both Congress statutory focused to these crucial topics. 2023 National Tournament Topics

  10. Event Overviews and Resources 3: Informative Speaking (Featuring INFO

    Here is a description straight from the NSDA: "Informative requires students to balance that content with delivery and style. Students in Informative must be articulate, engaging, and smooth with their delivery at both a vocal and physical level. The purpose of the event is to inform and educate the audience on a topic of significance.

  11. Beginner Informative Speech Breakdown (Featuring Anneteke Adoga

    Go behind the scenes in the crafting of a final round Informative speech with a two-time national champion.Discover more speech & debate resources at speecha...

  12. National Speech & Debate Association

    We are the national honor society for high and middle school speech and debate. We work to spark transformation in the lives of students, to help them become effective communicators, critical ...

  13. High School Categories/Topics

    8 min. Selecting from prescribed topics, contribute to public dialog on a contemporary issue by presenting a well-informed speech (or two brief pro-con speeches within the 8-min. time limit) directly responding to a question about that issue. Special Occasion. 6 min. Responding to a prescribed topic area, deliver a speech appropriate to a ...

  14. Beginner Informative Speech Breakdown

    Beginner Informative Speech Breakdown Go behind the scenes in the crafting of a final round Informative speech with a two-time national champion. (920) 748-6206 [email protected]

  15. National Speech and Debate Association

    The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. It is also the national authority on public speaking and debate.. NSDA was founded by Bruno Ernst Jacob, a Ripon College professor, in 1925 as the National Forensic League. As a college student, Jacob created a ...

  16. Informative Speech Topics: A Complete Guide to Nailing Your Speech

    Informative Speech Topics: A Complete Guide to Nailing Your Speech Orai - AI Speech Coach 5.91K subscribers Subscribe Subscribed 1K 50K views 3 years ago RESOURCES & LINKS:...

  17. 2018 NSDA Informative National Champion

    0:00 / 11:34 2018 NSDA Informative National Champion - Lily Indie Woodbury Speech 23 subscribers Subscribe Subscribed 381 Share 28K views 4 years ago "Nobody Puts Baby in the Closet," performed...

  18. 509 Informative Speech Ideas and Topics

    Written By Jim Peterson 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. This page has hundreds of topics for informative speeches and essays, and we are continually updating our list.

  19. PDF Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation (NSDA Rules, aka Solo ...

    Informative Speaking (NSDA Rules) Purpose: An informative speech is an original speech designed to explain, define, describe, or illustrate a particular subject. The general purpose of the speech is for the audience to gain understanding and/or knowledge of a topic. Any other purpose such as to entertain or to convince shall be secondary.

  20. Maine Speech Handbook

    The overall speech should remain on topic as clear, cohesive, and coherent, and use verbal sign-posting to signify the flow of information. ... Informative Speaking primarily follows the NSDA guidelines. Informative Speaking is a presentation written and performed by the student. Informative requires students to balance that content with ...

  21. Public Speaking

    informative speaking. In both original oratory and informative speaking, students choose their own topics, prepare, and present original 10-minute speeches. The difference between the two events lies in their purpose. Oratory persuades the audience to take some action or change its thinking about an important issue, while Info gives the ...

  22. 333 Informative Speech Topics To Rock Your Presentation

    The three circles are labeled: "things I am interested in," "things my audience cares about," and "things I can research." The center point where these three circles overlap is the sweet spot for your speech topic. When (Length): The length of your speech can drastically impact how in-depth you dive into the topic.

  23. Organizing the Informative Speech

    Section 1: Introduction. The first section of the speech contains an attention-getter to grab the interest of the audience and orient them to the topic of the speech, a clear thesis that states the purpose of the speech, and a preview of the main points of the speech. Section 2: Body. The heart of the speech is the body.