Speech Topics Archive

1991

1. Public Support Speech: As a member of an environmental group you are asked to address a local civic group challenging them to become involved in a recycling program.
2. Entertainment Speech: As a member of the award committee, you are responsible for presenting the humorous awards at the forensics banquet.
3. Keynote Address: As a high school representative, you are to address your elementary school’s “Just Say No” club.
4. Goodwill Speech: As an organ recipient, you are asked to address a high school assembly to encourage the significance of signing the anatomical gift statement on your driver’s license.
5. Welcoming Speech: Imagine that anyone from history would come to speak at your commencement; as the president of the Senior Class you will give the welcome speech for the historical figure who will speak.

1992

1. Acceptance of an award: You are the recipient of a scholarship from a special interest group.  You must present your acceptance speech at their annual meeting.
2. Dedication: You have been asked to present the dedication speech at the opening of a new outdoor facility in the community.
3. Speech to entertain: You have been chosen to give a humorous farewell speech to one of the following: classmates, teachers, family, co-workers.
4. Speech of a proposal: As a student lobbyist you are to address the school board on an issue of current interest or need in your school district.
5. Eulogy: You have been chosen to deliver a speech honoring an individual in the area of arts and entertainment who has made a significant difference in our culture.

1993

1. The campaign speech: You are running for a political office on the national, state or local level.  You wish to gain the citizens’ support for the upcoming elections.
2. Dedication: You have been selected to present an artistic masterpiece to a public facility.
3. Keynote: You have been chosen to promote a public safety issue to the elementary, middle or high school community.
4. The occasion may vary: You are a high school student representing the US in a foreign country.  This could be a team participant, presenter or recipient of an award, or a foreign exchange student. (The occasion may vary – dinner meeting, school event, performing event.)
5. Entertainment: You have been chosen as the humorous speaker at your high school reunion.

1994

1. Patriot tribute: You have been chosen to give a speech commemorating someone who has died in service to their country.  (War, FBI, space exploration, etc.)
2. Public apology: You are in a position that requires you to make a public apology for a wrongdoing. You must successfully place your organization in good standing with the public. (Political blunder, racial injustice, or financial embezzlement)
3. Farewell speech: You are at a dinner in your honor.  You must say farewell to a group of people that you are leaving due to an employment change or relocation to another state or country.
4. Award acceptance: You have been given an award for outstanding contributions to your school or community.  (Writing award, student council, bravery, junior leadership, scholarship, etc.)
5. Anniversary celebration: You have been chosen to speak at your parents or grandparents wedding anniversary (silver, ruby or golden).  You must address the importance of the family.

1995

1. Speech to Entertain: You have been chosen to “roast” a former classmate who has become famous (professional singer, actor or politician) as she/he moves up in her/his career.
2. Eulogy: You have been chosen to deliver a speech honoring a deceased classmate, teacher or other respected school personnel.
3. Career Opportunity Speech: You are a college or technical college recruiter making a speech about future educational needs and job prospects to a high school junior class.
4. Speech of Encouragement: As a representative of the Student Council, you have been asked to encourage student participation in “the arts” and other non-athletic school activities.
5. Fundraising Speech: As a representative of the school student body, you have received permission to address the local city council to propose funding for a new program, project or facility, which would benefit both the school and community.

1996

1. Dedication: You have been asked to present the dedication speech at the opening of an educational facility (gym, pool, theatre, etc.) donated by your family.
2. Entertainment: At the family reunion you were chosen to entertain the teenage relatives with your humorous memories of younger days.
3. Campaign Speech: You are a presidential candidate in the 1996 election.  Convince the young voters (18-25) of the impact of their votes on the upcoming issues.
4. Keynote-Educational Address: As a student in your high school, you will address the PTO or parent group concerning one or more serious/potential problem(s) in your district.  (Problems may include, but are not limited to, eating disorders, drug use, gangs, and activities for youth, etc.)
5. Commencement Address: You have achieved your career goals and your success has prompted an invitation to be the guest speaker at your alma mater’s graduation ceremony.
6. Commemorative Speech: You will address the 100th Anniversary Banquet of the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association.  Possible inclusions are:  some history of the organization, famous past participants, merits and educational value of WHSFA, etc.

1997

1. Goodwill Speech: As an organ recipient, you are asked to address a high school assembly regarding the significance of signing the anatomical gift statement on the back of the driver’s license.
2. Anniversary Speech: Imagine that anyone from history could come and speak at a city’s centennial.  Who would that person be and what would the message be?
3. Eulogy: You have been chosen to deliver a speech honoring an individual in the area of arts and entertainment who has made a significant difference in our culture.
4. Keynote Speaker: You have been chosen to promote a public safety issue to the elementary, middle school, and/or high school community.
5. Dinner Speech: You are a high school student who has represented your country as a foreign exchange student.  You are giving a speech at a dinner given in your honor by the organization that sponsored your trip.

1998

1. Commemorative Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Speech: You have been asked to make an address at a sesquicentennial event for the state of Wisconsin.
2. Thank You Speech: You are receiving a college tuition scholarship from an ethnic organization of which you, your parents, and your immigrant grandparents are members.  You have been asked to make a speech accepting your award at the group’s spring luncheon.
3. Campaign Speech: You are doing campaign work for a local School Board candidate.  You have been asked to address seniors in your school who are eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
4. Introductory Speech: Your grandfather received the Military’s Bronze Star for his performance as a WW II infantryman.  You are introducing him to an honors history class, which is studying the war.
5. Docent Speech: Your house has been selected by a local historical group as a part of a tour of homes in your neighborhood, which features distinctive architecture.  You have been asked to give tour participants details of your home, its personal history and the era in which it was built.

1999

1. Docent Speech: A major art museum has selected you to conduct tours for secondary students as a retrospective exhibition of an important artist.  You have been asked to relate the artist and his/her work to other curriculum areas such as English or Social Studies.
2. Fundraising/Assistance: As a representative of a group of individuals stricken by a major disease or genetic condition, you speak before a congressional committee requesting more money for research and/or policy changes to assist your group.
3. Dedication: You have been asked to represent an environmental group at the rededication of a wildlife preserve or Government Park as it is being renamed to reflect the concerns of a major environmentalist.  You will describe this environmentalist, his or her work and why the area is being dedicated to his or her accomplishments.
4. Memorial: It is the anniversary of a disaster, which has claimed the lives of many individuals. You have been asked to speak at a memorial service in their honor and place the tragedy in perspective.
5. Apology: As a representative of a sports team, you have been asked to appear before the media and present an apology for an inappropriate or unpopular action by the team, one or more of its members or one or more of its fans.

2000

1. Millennium Tribute: At a local elementary school you have been asked to participate in a tribute to a significant personality of the past millennium.  You will present a speech on the achievements and contributions of this individual at a school assembly.
2. Keynote Speech: You have been chosen to be the keynote speaker at the 2000 presidential nominating convention of your political party.  Party leaders have asked you to reflect upon the party’s accomplishments during the past century, as well as upon its future goals.
3. Introductory Speech: You have been chosen as the new instructional technology director of your school district.  The superintendent of schools has asked you to speak to a staff luncheon, outlining your goals for bringing your district’s technology into the 21st century.
4. Groundbreaking Speech: Your community has decided to develop materials for, and construct a museum commemorating a musical group, a type of music or a musical instrument.  As you speak at its groundbreaking, you hope to describe the significance of such a facility.
5. Awareness Campaign: You have been asked to speak to a local civic group on the benefits of alternative medicine.  Your goal is to illustrate its value.

2001

1. Entertainment Speech: You have been chosen to “roast” a former classmate who has become famous.
2. Eulogy: You have been chosen to deliver a speech honoring a deceased individual who has made a significant difference in our culture in the area of arts and entertainment.
3. Keynote Speech: You have been selected to provide the keynote speech at a national academic competition for students in grades 6 through 12.  Your goal is to inspire the students to do their best in competition.
4. Trade Show Presentation: Your employer has selected you to present a new product, service or design to prospective retailers at a major trade show.
5. Welcome Speech: It is the year 2025, and we have discovered life on other planets.  You have been chosen, as a representative of earth, to welcome the aliens to membership in the United Nations.

2002

1. Advocacy Speech – Organs: As an organ recipient, you are asked to address a high school assembly regarding the significance of signing the anatomical gift statement or of placing the organ donor sticker on the driver’s license.
2. Foreign Exchange Travelogue: You are a high school student who has represented your country as a foreign exchange student.  When you return home, you deliver a speech to your sponsors describing your trip.
3. Educator Appreciation: You have been chosen to prepare and deliver a speech at Honors Night paying tribute to a classmate, teacher or other respected school employee.
4. Advocacy Speech – Space: You have just returned from an exploratory space mission.  You are asked to show how scientific exploration is vital to the world’s survival.
5. Commemoration: You have been asked to address your fellow students commemorating Patriots Day – April 19th – to remind them of the American Revolution and sacrifices endured by our Forefathers.

2003

1. Acceptance Speech: You accept a local civic group’s “Youth of the Year” award at their banquet, and explain the value of volunteer work.
2. Entertainment: As senior class president, it is your job to “roast” some popular, retiring faculty members who are guests at the Senior Night Banquet.
3. Eulogy: You have been asked to deliver the eulogy for a disgraced family member at his/her funeral.
4. Graduation Speech: You have been chosen by your classmates to deliver an address at the graduation ceremony.  Your goal is to inspire them to face their future challenges.
5. School Board Meeting: You present a speech at your local school board meeting against a proposal by the board to eliminate your school’s fine arts programs to help balance the district budget.

2004

1. Commemoration: In honor of the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Washington D.C. delivery of the “I Have A Dream” speech, you have been asked to address your student body on how far race relations have come since then, and where our nation has yet to go.
2. Tribute – Influential Woman: You have been asked to make a tribute to an influential contemporary woman as one of your school’s Women’s History Month activities.
3. Tribute – Veterans: Your school has selected you as the representative to pay tribute to graduates distinguished by their military service in the war in Iraq/Middle East.
4. Anniversary Celebration: Your family has selected you to honor your parents or grandparents’ wedding anniversary at their celebration.
5. Farewell Address: As an elected official, who has been defeated in the last election, you must address your elected colleagues before leaving office.

2005

1. Career Keynote: You have been selected to deliver the keynote speech at a seminar for students interested in careers in technology.
2. Historic Presidential Eulogy: Your local historical association has asked you to eulogize a President of the United States to a group of local students.
3. Entertainment: You have been chosen as the humorous speaker at your high school reunion.
4. Docent Speech: You have been selected by your local art museum to dedicate a new exhibit area of contemporary art in honor of a local patron of the museum.
5. Encouragement: You have been asked to address your fellow students who have successfully worked through a difficult situation.

Beginning in 2006, and for most years afterwards, we offered general situations without context. 2006

1. Acceptance of a Gift of Award
2. Speech of Farewell
3. After Dinner Speech
4. Tribute
5. Public Apology

2007

1. Speech of Welcome
2. Acceptance of Nomination or Office
3. Sales/Fundraising Presentation
4. Patriotic Speech

2008

1. Presentation of a Gift or Award
2. Speech of Protest
3. Speech to an At-Risk Group
4. Graduation Speech

2009

1. Speech to Gain Good Will
2. A “Roast” Speech
3. A Nomination Speech
4. A Wedding or Anniversary Speech

2010

1. Eulogy:  A Eulogy for a pet
2. Public Statement:  Present a public statement for a family crisis.  May include but not limited to:  a victim of a natural disaster, crime victim, illness, loss of home, etc.
3. Trial:  An original summation of an actual or fictitious trial.
4. Tribute:  A tribute to a teacher.

2011

1. After Dinner Speech at a Civic Organization
2. Announcement of a New Product
3. Presentation of a Proposal to a Service Organization
4. Motivational Speech to Elementary School students

2012

1. Docent Presentation:  You have volunteered to act as a docent at your local library or museum for a special event (i.e. Youth Art Month, visiting exhibit, etc.)
2. State Government Testimony:  You are to speak before a Wisconsin Governmental regulatory agency concerning a policy.
3. Initiative Presentation:  You are to present your school’s “Go Green” initiative to a local organization.
4. History Day:  You are to analyze a significant speech at a history day event. The presentation must include excerpts from the speech within your analysis.
5. Graduation Speech:  You have been elected to present a speech at the class of 2012’s graduation.

2013

1. Book Talk: You are to present a book talk on at least two books for younger students to the local book club or local library for a summer reading program.
2. Wedding Speech: You, as maid of honor or best man, are to speak at your sibling’s wedding.
3. Foreign Exchange: You are to present a speech at a local organization about your recent experience as a foreign exchange student.
4. School Board Testimony: You are to address your local school board concerning a school policy students want to change.

2014

1. A speech at a family reunion.
2. An acceptance of an award or honor.
3. A rededication of an old cemetery.
4. A speech at the closing of a neighborhood school.

2015

1. A speech in honor of a retiree.
2. A speech of protest.
3. A speech of apology.
4. A speech to foreign visitors.

2016

1. A speech at a charity event.
2. A speech to the United Nations.
3. A speech at a self-help seminar.
4. A political victory or concession speech.

2017

1. A speech to a veteran’s organization.
2. A speech in response to a scandal.
3. A sales pitch to investors for a new product or invention.
4. A dedication of an art exhibit or public art installation.

2018

1. Resignation speech
2. Hall of fame induction speech
3. Pep talk from a coach
4. Tribute to the life of an ancestor

2019

1. A principal’s welcome to incoming students
2. A recruitment speech
3. A ribbon cutting speech
4. A school office candidacy speech

2020

1. Opening argument for a trial
2. A speech to decline an award
3. End of year banquet speech
4. Press conference to announce a product recall

2021

1. New product launch announcement
2. Rally speech focused on cause/issue
3. Speech arguing against school program budget cuts
4. Eulogy for a political figure

2022

1. A press conference about a public health issue
2. A roast of a celebrity or fictional character
3. A speech to present a posthumous award or honor
4. An anniversary speech to commemorate an event at a school

2023

1. A conference/convention keynote address
2. A proposal for an innovative community service project
3. A tribute/dedication to a veteran/veteran memorial
4. A protest speech