Extemporaneous Informative & Persuasive Speaking Topics
Invitational B 2009
Effective Date: February 6 - March 7, 2009
Informative Speaking Topics - Preliminaries
- What has President Obama accomplished during his initial days in office?
- What does Israel hope to gain by its offensive in Gaza?
- What are the latest developments regarding Bernie Madoff?
- What is the continued fallout following Iceland's financial collapse?
- What has the investigation revealed about the crash of Flight 1549 into New York's Hudson River?
- How are American colleges and universities facing the challenge of the recession?
- What has Luiz Lula da Silva accomplished as president of Brazil?
- Why is the nomination of CNN's Sonjay Gupta for U.S. Surgeon General being criticized?
- What does the equal pay bill recently signed into law mean for civil rights?
- Why are political dissenters in China seeking the attention of their nation's government?
- How have the major U.S. automakers responded to federal assistance approved by President Bush?
- Why is the popularity of South African President Thabo Mbeki on the decline?
- What were the highlights of Barack Obama's inauguration address?
- Why do Texas Democratic lawmakers disagree with Governor Perry's assessment of the state's economy?
- How are South American government officials explaining the current rise in poverty in their nations?
- Why is the nation of Yemen believed to be contributing to international terrorism?
- What are the fundamental objectives of the European Space Agency?
- How have political leaders in Greece responded to the violent riots that disrupted their nation?
- What are the causes of unrest in the Kashmir Province of India?
- What ethical issues are being raised surrounding the recent birth of octuplets in California?
Informative Speaking Topics - Finals
- Why is Norway considered one of the more environmentally friendly nations in the world?
- Why is Bolivia's President Evo Morales supporting a revision of his nation's constitution?
- How has the Food and Drug Administration addressed the nationwide salmonella outbreak?
- What steps are Russia and Ukraine taking to resolve their differences over natural gas trade?
- Why is the nomination of Carol Browner as the White House climate czar the subject of controversy?
- What challenges will the Obama administration face as efforts are made to close the Guantanamo detention center in Cuba?
- How is Kenya promoting stability in neighboring Somalia?
- What concerns regarding the state's public education system is the Texas Legislature addressing this session?
- How is the nation of India addressing the problem of terrorism within its borders?
- What does the Obama Administration's stimulus package include?
- What are the major challenges facing the international banking industry?
- How is the new administration reshaping America's energy policy?
- How does U.S. international trade relations affect American foreign policy?
- What steps is the United States taking to improve its diplomatic relations with Pakistan?
- Why did President Bush commute the sentences of ex-border patrol officers Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean?
- How is the government of Colombia dealing with demands of the FARC rebel organization?
- Based on the latest test results, how do U.S. secondary school students compare to those in foreign nations?
- Why are researchers optimistic about future stem cell research?
- Why is Japan becoming involved in efforts to curtail piracy in the Indian Ocean?
- What are the major political challenges facing leaders in Lebanon today?
Persuasive Speaking Topics - Preliminaries
- Are fluctuating oil prices having an adverse effect on the Texas petroleum industry?
- Canada: Is this nation's production of oil from tar sands on the decline?
- Is Rod Blagojevich's political career over?
- Does talk radio contribute to political awareness in the United States?
- Is a major conflict between Israel and Iran likely in the near future?
- Will the Obama administration gain bipartisan support for key items on the new president's agenda?
- Will the economy of Saudi Arabia be adversely affected by the international development of renewable energy resources?
- Are American waters and ports safe?
- Is the Food and Drug Administration adequately protecting our food supply?
- Is a lasting agreement likely between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
- Are the days of the No Child Left Behind program nearing an end?
- Is there pork spending included in the economic stimulus package?
- Should Brazil's energy policy serve as a model for other South American nations?
- Will former President Bill Clinton have a voice in U.S. foreign policy decisions made by the Obama administration?
- Is Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III an American hero?
- Have the nations of Thailand and Burma resolved past differences?
- Is President Nicolas Sarkozy successfully attempting to address the needs of minority groups in France?
- Is the United Nations responsible for stabilizing the Darfur region of Sudan?
- Was American foreign policy weakened by the influence of neo-conservatives that served in the Bush administration?
- Are policies of the European Union contributing to the international economic crisis?
Persuasive Speaking Topics - Finals
- Are Russian trade policies contributing to natural gas shortages in Eastern Europe?
- Is political corruption the name of the game in the state of Illinois?
- Can Israel and Hamas agree to a lasting ceasefire in Gaza?
- Can Apple computer continue its success without Steve Jobs?
- Are major changes in U.S. immigration policy likely under the leadership of President Obama?
- Is Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez making good on his promise to promote the rights of indigenous groups in his nation?
- Should Texas follow the lead of California by imposing stricter standards for automobile emissions?
- Should coaches be held legally liable for injuries incurred by high school student athletes?
- Is Ghana's recent election an example for successful African democracy?
- Has the opportunity to attend college in Texas improved under the leadership of Texas Governor Rick Perry?
- Was Leon Panetta a poor choice for Director of the CIA?
- After his departure as British prime minister, is Tony Blair earning a reputation as a leading international diplomat?
- Is Iraq prepared to regain complete sovereignty over its territory?
- Will Hillary Clinton's effectiveness as Secretary of State be hindered by conflicts of interest?
- Is the United States jeopardizing its diplomatic relations with Pakistan by continuing to conduct the war on terrorism in Afghanistan?
- Is corporate mismanagement a major problem in the United States today?
- Will the International Monetary Fund play a major role in helping resolve the current international economic crisis?
- Is President Barack Obama making good on his campaign promises?
- How will substantially increased Internet use change the life of people in China?
- Can the federal government maintain its current level of deficit spending?