Specific controversy or a current debate

  • Think about a specific controversy or a current debate that is going on. These controversies could be national, global, or local (i.e. national: the national anthem or banning of tiktok, idolization of celebrities; global: plastic pollution, clean drinking water, hunger, human trafficking; local: human trafficking, air quality, sustainable farming). These topics are general ideas, but you should focus on narrowing down these ideas to develop a more specific message. Take a stance on the issue and attempt to persuade your audience as to why they should accept your point-of-view.
  • This speech should focus on the reasons why the audience should accept the position the speaker is advocating. (i.e. think of yourself as a salesman who is aiming to get the audience to buy-in to their ideas)
  • This speech calls for audience members to act in a particular fashion. The action should be workable and provide some degree of solvency.
  • This speech calls the speaker to refute a commonly held principle, policy, and/or idea.