Good Topics for an Informative Speech

Capture the audience's attention with an informative speech

Informative speeches are different from other types of speeches. Unlike ones that try to persuade an audience to buy something or agree with the speaker's views, an informative speech is transferring information to an audience. In this type of speech you are just giving them the facts. Choose a topic that interests you, and hopefully one you already know some facts about. After researching the topic, deliver it with enthusiasm to hold the attention of your audience.

Current Events Topics

Some of the best speeches are often ones that are timely. Current events topics are good candidates because the audience can relate to issues happening right now, plus everyone has an opinion on these issues. Timely topics and differing opinions combine to ensure discussions and memorable speeches. Some lively topics include:

• Money topics: the best ways to earn, spend or save it

• Global warming: truth or fiction?

• Outsourcing: friend or foe to our economy?

• Brand name versus generic drugs: are they equal?

• Obesity in children

• The reality show phenomenon

• What are alternative fuels?

• Immigrating to the United States

How To Topics

There are numerous things we all wish we knew how to do, or how they worked or came to be. A "How To" speech is both informative and appealing to a receptive audience eager to get answers to their long-time questions. Some inspiring suggestions include:

• How medicinal marijuana works

• How to get a degree online

• How to use herbs as medicine

• How to obtain free money for college

• How to do an international adoption

• How does music therapy work?

History of Something Topics

Historical facts make for great speeches.

Sharing historical facts on events, products or beliefs can be a sure-fire way to capture audience attention. Listeners are often eager to fill in the gaps on what they don't know but would like to find out. Some suggestions to get you started include:

• History of makeup

• History of comic books

• On this day in history: a notable event

• History of lasik surgery

• History of transplant surgery

• History of women in the military

• Who invented the Internet?

• History of Hollywood and the movies

Kids' Funny Speech Topics

Funny speech topics are perfect for kids.

At times parents or teachers want to give kids an opportunity to speak in front of a group or other students. There is no better way to help children become comfortable with speaking publicly, not to mention learning basic skills of preparing a speech. According to Write Out Loud.com, providing suitable speech topics for kids can be challenging. We want them to have stimulating topics to work with, yet topics need to be age-suitable as well. Take into account the child's age and mental ability when it comes to memorizing and speaking for an extended period of time. Age-appropriate, funny topics can entertain and inform at the same time. Some kid-friendly ideas include:

• History of gummy bears

• Why is grass green?

• What happens to our recycled things?

• The American Sign Language alphabet

• If I ruled the world

• History of chocolate

• Why do stars twinkle?

• Taking care of a pet

References

• Best Speech Topics: Good Informative Speech Topics
• All Speech Topics; Speech Topics, Tips for Creating Your Speech
• Presentation Magazine: Informative Speech Topics
• Best Speech Topics: Speech Topics for Kids
• Write Out Loud: Speech Topics for Children

Resources

• Ian's Messy Desk; 10 Tips for Giving a Great Speech; Ian McKenzie
• Speech Topics Help: Advice & Ideas, 30 Funny Speech Topic Ideas