Interesting speech topics

[Shadowblade]

Well, i have to do a speech at school, but i'm having trouble coming up with an interesting topic that no-one else will think of doing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Bobbybirdtree]

I dunno. Food? Maybe a sports team you love.

[Azrael]

...What are the guidelines? Do you just have to stand up and talk about something? Is it argumentative? Persuasive?

[Bobbybirdtree]

That would help. ;) I had a speech class and we usually had a "type" of speech to do.

[Shadowblade]

Its just a stand up and talk for 3-5 minutes.

[Bobbybirdtree]

You could try doing the whole introduction thing. Stating your name and some hobbies you have. Maybe some things you would like to accomplish in the future.

[StormShadow]

Dude, just BS reasons why being a pirate is a better job than any other.

[Psychochink]

Something not boring. My first prepared speech (for public speaking practice purposes) was on the stripping industry. I'm not saying do that, but talk about something that is both interesting to people (not yourself, unless you have a very cool job) and that you either know a lot about, or know things that other people don't. Be enthusiastic about your own topic.

Be funny. Particularly when everyone else is being boring, it's a refreshing change of pace.

Give good eye contact around the room, don't look above people's heads, and remember to give eye contact to the whole room. Very important. Most people don't give good eye contact even when they're trying to.

Body language: Do not stand behind the lectern, if there is one. Do not stand there stock, dead still, either. Mind you, don't be too animated, either. Moving around too much is distracting, but the simple use of your hands for emphasis can add a lot.As an addendum to the last two points:

Know your speech. Inside out for preference. I hate watching people stand there and read at me. Take your notes up, but preferably never actually look at them.

Hey, it's 5:00, I'm going home. Advice suspended.

[CopraSanctum]

Well, you can always talk about Japan. I am sure you can find plenty of materials in this forum alone. If there is more that you want to know, you can always ask Az, Pierrot, Hapacheese, truce. etc...

[Chuplayer]

Talk about how you hate your family. Seriously. I did it. Got an A, too.

[decswxaqz]

I talked about the illussion of time. They found it interesting.. well that is what they said =/

[Roxie]

For my speech class I did an informative speech on the benefits of laughter and my prof loved it!

I also did one on the need for accurate safe sex (as opposed to abstinence only) education. I did very well on that too.

[Kragar]

What are you interested in? What gets you excited to talk about? What can you talk about for hours without stopping to think about?

What makes you laugh? What makes you change your plans if it's available? What do you go out of your way to do as often as possible?

What do you know about better that anyone else? What are you especially proud of having done?

You can start with the answers to any of these questions. It could be a trip to the beach last year or what you plan to do with your life. It could be a book you read and really enjoy, or your favorite uncle. It could be this website here and all the interesting stories you've heard from Az and the rest of the zoo.

It could be anything, but it should be something you love, because any speech you give will be influenced by that love and excitement, and that's what really gets the crowd into your speech. If you're bored, you're boring.