• Choosing a speech for school, business or a special occasion can be a challenge.little einstein 108 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Preparing a speech for school, business or a special occasion is a challenge, especially if you must choose the topic. Once you know your audience and the length of time you have to speak, think about what type of speech is appropriate for the situation. What is your purpose and what are your goals? Then choose an interesting topic and do your research.
  
  

Informative Speech Topics

• The purpose of an informative speech is to inform and educate your audience. Instructional and demonstration speeches fall into this category. Interesting topics for informative speeches include:
  
  Famous Child Prodigies: Present common characteristics or features they may share.
  
  How to Improve Memory: Briefly explain how memory works, then include tricks and tips.
  
  Rainforest Medicines: Choose a few and explain how they are discovered and what the future may hold.
  
  Paranormal Activity in the Locality: Research local events and interview witnesses.
  
  Sales Tactics and Social Networking. How the social network has changed the sales industry.
  
  

Persuasive Speech Topics

• Persuasive speeches are meant to convince your audience to believe as you do on a topic or to spur the audience to action. Sales pitches, inspirational speeches, motivational speeches and political debate speeches are examples of persuasive speeches. Interesting topics for persuasive speeches include:
  
  Ending Oil Exploration in Populated Areas: Include a few, strong and memorable facts in your presentation and at least one human-interest story.
  
  The U.S. Should Reduce its Foreign Presence: Consider points such as our right to impose our values on another culture and strengthening homeland defense.
  
  Apprenticeships Should be Mandatory in Public High Schools: Present points such as work ethics, financial independence and mentorship.
  
  Video Games are Beneficial to Kids: Include eye-hand coordination, concentration and the future of video games and biofeedback.
  
  A Moratorium Must Be Placed on the Off-Shoring of American Jobs: Consider ideas such as domestic unemployment rates and declining customer service.
  
  

Kids' Speech Topics

• The audience for kids' speeches is generally a classroom of their peers. Children's speeches usually fall into either an informative or a persuasive type. Interesting topics for kids' speeches include:
  
  Tell About a Time You Felt Left Out: Expand on the circumstances and any resolution to the experience
  
  What's New in Deep Sea Exploration? Include the latest equipment being used and scientific discoveries being made.
  
  Explain Why You Think Animals Think: Present personal observations of animals to support your point of view.
  
  What is a Hero and Who Is Yours? Perhaps a relative, a sports figure, a religious figure or a first responder.
  
  How to Make No-Bake Cookies: Find a recipe, take the ingredients to school and make a batch for your classmates.
  
  

One-Minute Speeches

• One-minute speeches are useful when the your topic is brief, when time is short or when there are many other speakers on the agenda. Welcome speeches, farewell speeches, toasts and introductions are examples of occasions when you might prepare a one-minute speech. Interesting topics for one-minute speeches include:
  
  The Duties of a Best Man: List traditional duties and a few unusual ones.
  
  Advantages of Multi-Generational Family Living: Include reduced living costs, strengthening of the family unit, child care and elder care.
  
  An Early Thanksgiving Day Memory: Perhaps given before dinner by the eldest family member.
  
  How the Bride's and Groom's Parents Met: For a wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. The theme can be romantic or comical.
  
  The Rules of Texas Hold 'Em Poker: A demonstration may be helpful to the audience.
  
  

Farewell Speeches

• The purpose of a farewell speech is to say good-bye and to wish the individual who is departing luck and fortune. The audience is frequently a group of colleagues, family or friends who know the speaker well. Farewell speeches should be kept fairly brief and upbeat. Interesting topics for farewell speeches include:
  
  Funny Jobs Held: For someone who is moving on to a sought-after position.
  
  A Famous Journey and Homecoming: For a son, daughter or friend who is leaving home and community.
  
  Retirement in the 21st Century: For a colleague upon retirement.
  
  A Patriotic Speech: For a soldier going to war, the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence is inspiring.
  
  Share the Story of a Life: A tribute or eulogy at a funeral or wake.