100 Speech Topics

Selecting a topic is sometimes one of the hardest parts of giving a speech. Usually, once you find a subject that is interesting to you, the actual research and writing of the speech are not that complicated. With that in mind, I have put together the first in a series of posts regarding topic selection.

The range of topics is endless. Most of these topics will be too broad to be covered in a short amount of time and will need to be narrowed down considerably. You will need to develop just one part of the topic to cover it well.

Technology

Internet
best search engines
top 10 searches
web 2.0
social bookmarking
blogs
Computer Viruses
Choosing a cell phone
Choosing a gaming system


Biographies

Abraham Lincoln
Sam Adams
George Washington
Martin L. King
Ulysses S. Grant
Robert E. Lee
Stonewall Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Mother Teresa
Gandhi
Malcolm X
Bono
Michael Jackson (also suitable for a humorous speech)
Warren Buffet
Bill Gates
Steve Jobs
A relative of yours (this one is great if you can find a grandparent who was alive before some of the great inventions like cars, phones, etc)

Book Reviews

War and Peace (kidding)

Uncommon uses for common items

paperclips
sponges
rubber bands
plastic sporks

Politics

Privacy rights
nuclear weapons
welfare
Medicare
abortion
death penalty
gun control
taxes
Fair Tax
Immigration
gay marriage
Democrats v Republicans
Libertarian Party
military issues (pay, gays in, women in, etc)
legal drinking age
decriminalization/legalization of drugs
terrorism
environmental issues

History

Civil rights
women's suffrage
Nazi Germany
Civil War
American Revolution
Roman Empire

Environment

hybrid vehicles
alternative fuels
recycling
greenhouse gases
conservation
global warming
wind energy
nuclear energy

Sports

Why the BCS system doesn't work
Argue for why your chosen sport is the best
Which sport has the best athletes?
Football v football (soccer)
Is baseball still America's game?
Hunting
Fishing

Financial

Mortgage crisis
Real estate market in your area
Credit card debt
Does Dave Ramsey's plan make sense?
Were the bailouts a good idea? Were they necessary?
Choosing investments wisely
Good investments for a volatile market
identity theft

Transportation

Is a hybrid vehicle worth the added money?
Choosing a family vehicle
Slow down to save fuel
Do red cars really get more tickets?
How to beat a speeding ticket
Basic vehicle maintenance
Minivan vs. SUV
Safety issues
proper tire inflation saves fuel
Detailing your vehicle
Detroit muscle cars vs. Tuners
How riding the bus could save you money

Around the House

Planting trees to keep your home cooler
Gardening
Fruit trees
herb gardens
Cleaning your Fireplace
Replacing broken floor tiles
Yard maintenance
10 uses for a pressure washer
Caring for your dog/cat/fish
Choosing a dog breed
Dog training