Speech Ideas

1. John Fleming of Edmonton, Alberta wrote: Try these ideas for a speech:
   1. Business
      1. The biggest sale I ever made - and the thrill I got from it.
      2. How and why I failed in business.
      3. I like my present job because.
      4. The best (or worst) investment I ever made in my life.
      5. My boss was good to me.
      6. How I improved my performance at work.
      7. My suggestion for helping my my organization become more teamwork oriented.
   2. Childhood
      1. The excitement of receiving my high school (or other) diploma.
      2. The thrill of getting my first bicycle.
   3. Family
      1. How I felt when my home burned down.
      2. The thrill I got in watching my son (daughter) being graduated from high school or college.
      3. A lesson my children have taught me.
      4. I was homesick.
      5. My wedding.
      6. The most humorous thing my child ever said or did.
      7. I was proud of my father (or mother) because . . .
   4. People
      1. My hero -- and why I worship him (her).
      2. The happiest couple I know -- and why they are happy.
      3. The pleasure I got from praising a friend, relative, or employee.
      4. I made an enemy.
      5. The most courageous act I ever witnessed.
      6. My favorite speaker -- and why I like him (her).
      7. What I learned by becoming interested in a stranger.
   5. Personal
      1. The most exiting thing I ever did.
      2. The best friend I ever had.
      3. The meanest prank I ever played.
      4. The greatest help I ever received.
      5. An unforgettable experience with 'puppy love.'
      6. I was patient and it paid off.
      7. The strangest coincidence I ever heard (or witnessed).
      8. My big moment.
      9. How one idea increased my happiness.
      10. I made a friend.
      11. My favorite opera -- and why I like it.
      12. My favorite motto -- and what it has meant to me.
      13. The most stupid thing I ever did.
      14. I was jilted.
      15. My greatest handicap.
      16. The biggest surprise of my life.
      17. My most unforgettable experience in the armed forces.
      18. Why I quit drinking.
      19. I was cheated.
      20. I learned my lesson the hard way.
      21. I had forgotten (or lost) my wallet.
      22. My favorite toy -- and why I like it.
      23. I never felt more lonely in my life.
      24. When I prayed the hardest -- and why.
      25. I was furious.
      26. I was seasick (or airsick).
      27. I was drafted.
      28. I visited a friend on the farm.
      29. I won a medal because . . . and the thrill it gave me.
      30. My greatest disappointment.
      31. I turned to prayer as a last resort.
      32. The happiest recollection of my childhood.
   6. Recreation
      1. The most exciting sports event I ever watched.
      2. The best book I ever read -- the best play or the best film.
      3. My most successful fishing trip.
      4. The thrill of owning my first automobile.
   7. Social
      1. My first date.
      2. A dinner I will always remember.
      3. I was embarrassed because I could not remember a name.
   8. Miscellaneous
      1. I got a ticket for speeding.
      2. The best sermon I ever heard -- and how it affected me.
      3. The mental and emotional impact that Toastmasters has had on me.
      4. Why I never went to college (or university).
      5. The last time I had a flat tire.
      6. The smartest *mistake* I ever made.
      7. An incident that convinced me that honesty is the best policy.
         
2. Try to tackle some kind of controversial topic. Many toastmasters are hesitant to dive into these types of speeches -- we don't want to hurt someone's feelings. However, one of the most important uses of free speech is the right to present topics that others may not agree with. You may want to give it a try! Some examples are:
   

   	Should animals be used for scientific research?
   	Should public prayer be allowed in schools?
   	Should marijuana be legalized?
   	What about euthanasia? Is this a good option? For what kind of patients?
   	Is cloning of humans a good idea? If we clone people, how should be it regulated?
   	Should the Internet be regulated? What can be done (if anything) about advertising immoral items on the Internet?
   	Can we force welfare recipients to work?

3. Tell the group about someone you knew. It could be an old school chum, a co-worker, or some other acquaintance. We all have a lot to learn from the people we know. You can share humorous stories and lessons learned from the people you've known.
   
4. I was once going to work up a speech entitled "Wisdom In Three Languages." I can't speak three languages, but I noticed our library had several books with sayings from many parts of the world (in many languages). I thought I'd find three such sayings and share them with the audience.
   
5. Tell about some of the places you've seen. This doesn't have to be a "travelogue" sort of thing (and for goodness sake, don't bring in the home movies!). You can discuss your feelings when you visited the Capital or a local park. You can share a "secret" location you like to go to when you must get away from everyone. You can tell about some humorous events from vacations past.
   
6. I do not now live near where I grew up. I like telling stories from my home state. You may be able to find a book of legends or tales from your birth place and weave them into a most interesting speech.
   
7. "My family tree has produced a lot of peaches -- and a couple o' nuts!" If you have fooled with your genealogy, you may be able to discuss your family.
   
8. You may be able to discuss your job. Of course, if you are part of a corporate Toastmasters, then perhaps the other members will know your job better than you already! However, it's a thought.
   
9. If you have hobbies, they are usually rich areas for speeches. Even if you think your hobby could interest no one, there was something about it that got you hooked!
   
10. A very rich source of inspiration for speeches is to start a "what if. . ." sentence. For example: What if:
    

	NASA decided to establish a colony on Mars? Who would populate it? What kind of government would they establish?
	Animals could talk? What would they have to say? How would that change the world?
	Beings from another planet actually did land somewhere on Earth? How would that change our lives?
	In the American war for Independence, the British had won? How would that have changed the course of history? (NOTE: If you are reading this from another country, use a war or other event from your own history.)
	We had a one-world government that was functional? How would it change our world?
	People could flap their arms and fly like a bird?
	There were no colors?

11. If you are of a creative nature, you may want to invent a "tall tale" to share with your club. A well crafted tale will have the ring of truth to it, until you choose to enlighten your audience.
    
12. If you've learned any new skill or gained knowledge lately, share that with your club. Perhaps you've read a good book or are taking a class. Your friends at Toastmasters are always interested in learning from you.
    
13. Read magazines, books, and other literature. Many ideas can spring to mind as you read. For example, when was the last time you read an editorial in the Newspaper and thought "Boy, someone should tell that guy the facts!"
    
14. Go to the library and find some audio tapes of motivational speakers. They often have "gems" of wisdom they drop and can be used to launch an entire speech. For example, Les Brown once stated "Don't make a living, rather, live your making!" What a wonderful springboard for a speech.

This Document Last Modified on April 29, 1998.