Speech Topics to Meet Oral Communication Standards

Use one of these fun ideas for an impromptu oral presentation topic

Girl (6-8) standing at blackboard, giving presentation in class
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Speech topics are a key element for impromptu oral presentation activities. Coming up with them can be a challenge for the teacher. You can use this collection of speech topics for oral presentations or use them to inspire your own variations.

Impromptu Oral Presentation Activity

Put all of the topics on slips of paper and have your students pick out of a hat. You can either have the student begin the presentation immediately or give a few minutes to prepare. You may have a student pick the topic just before the student before them presents so they have that time to think. In this case, give the very first student a few minutes to prepare.

Impromptu Oral Communication Speech Topics

  • You are an ant. Convince an anteater to not eat you.
  • Explain three different ways to eat an Oreo cookie.
  • Tell us about a nickname you have and how you got it.
  • Convince us to vote for you as president of the USA.
  • Explain three uses for a pencil other than for writing.
  • Read us a letter you might write home when you are staying at a circus training summer camp.
  • Tell us about your summer plans.
  • Convince us that homework is harmful to your health.
  • Tell us about your favorite pet and why it should win the Greatest Pet Ever award.
  • If you were an animal, what would you be?
  • You are a salesperson trying to sell us the shirt you have on.
  • Explain how a smart person might not be wise.
  • If you were the teacher, how would our class be different?
  • Tell us about the hardest thing you have ever done.
  • You are a mad scientist. Tell us about your latest invention.
  • You are a famous sports player. Describe your best moment of a game.
  • You are a famous rock star. Explain what the lyrics of your latest hit song mean.
  • Tell us about the best job.
  • Explain the benefits of drinking milk.
  • Tell us how to become a millionaire.
  • You are 30 years old. Tell us how you became a millionaire by age 18.
  • Tell us about the best dream you've ever had.
  • Create a myth that explains why pelicans have large beaks.
  • Tell us how to make a new friend.
  • Tell us about the most fun recess activity.
  • Tell us about your favorite holiday.
  • Tell us how to make your favorite meal.
  • Explain which came first: the chicken or the egg.
  • Explain the rules to your favorite game.
  • If everything in the world had to change to the same color, what color would you choose and why?
  • Explain how you would use a hat to catch butterflies. Be sure to identify the type of hat that is required.
  • You are a piece of paper. Describe how we should use you before you get recycled.
  • Explain how to make a pizza.
  • Explain four uses for a drinking glass other than for holding a liquid.
  • Convince our principal to give students their birthdays off of school.
  • Describe how you would modify a snail so it can go faster.
  • Explain the best way to teach an old dog a new trick.
  • Describe the life cycle of a frog or butterfly.
  • Explain what you would do if you were a monkey suddenly set free from a zoo.
  • Describe one school rule you would change and why.
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Your Citation
Lewis, Beth. "Speech Topics to Meet Oral Communication Standards." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/ideas-for-impromptu-oral-communication-topics-2081041. Lewis, Beth. (2020, August 26). Speech Topics to Meet Oral Communication Standards. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/ideas-for-impromptu-oral-communication-topics-2081041 Lewis, Beth. "Speech Topics to Meet Oral Communication Standards." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/ideas-for-impromptu-oral-communication-topics-2081041 (accessed March 19, 2024).