Possible speech topics are as varied as human experience. For example, your topic could be lighthearted or serious, address ancient history or current events, or relate to professional interests or a recreational activity—and that’s just the beginning. Here are some topics we’ve seen students select over the past several years:

Often, it is the speaker’s responsibility to select a topic, although in some instances you may be assigned a topic by your instructor, by your employer, or by those who have invited you to speak. When you are called on to choose your own topic, there is a process you should follow to select the best topic for your speech. The first step is to develop a diverse set of possibilities using the following strategies—research, brainstorming, word association, and mind mapping. Each of these strategies encourages divergent thinking, meaning that your mind generates diverse and creative ideas.1